The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) demands stronger role in decision-making
The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) is adamant to have more rights and more active role when it comes to any decision-making process in Formula One. The drivers believe that they must have more influential part to play in the in the sport's decisions
and resolutions.
Soon after the last round of the season, the Korean Grand Prix, GPDA held a meeting with the FIA president Jean Todt. To witness the inaugural Korean Grand Prix the president was present at the Yeongam Circuit and a short but formal meeting took place between
the GPDA representatives and the president after the race.
Rubens Barrichello who is the president of GPDA while talking to Todt last weekend said, "We want a permanent dialogue with the governing body."
Barrichello is one of the oldest Formula One drives and has seen the sport undergoing a lot of changes and evolutions. He is one of those drivers who have grown along with the sport, standing very firmly as it underwent drastic changes in the past decade,
some very positive while others being poor.
The 38-year-old believes that the drivers are the people who are most directly affected by every single change in sport, no matter how small it is. He also believes that the feedback given by the drivers, regarding the race or the track or the sports’ rules
could be the most authentic and reliable one.
Last week he talked to the President along with his fellow GPDA directors Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa. While talking about the meeting the other two drivers told that they are happy that the process of dialogue has begun and they believe they will
come up with some positive changes.
The drivers went to the Todt with such a demand only after having gone through several problems at the Korean Grand Prix. The drivers believe that many issues like the upsetting kerbs and the hazardous pit entries could have been easily avoided if the drivers
were taken along more seriously during the final stages of the track inspection.
Just a little while ago Barrichello talked to the reports today saying that he is very positive regarding the meeting, and he enclosed the proceedings saying, "It was ok, we discussed three or four things and he was very open. All we want is for the GPDA
to be able to contribute more to the future of the sport.”
The Williams driver believes that the FIA president has responded them very warmly and he hopes that their issue would be considered thoroughly.
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