Sergio Perez champions better driver sway in F1, pushes for GPDA’s influence in the sport

Since 2016, GPDA directors have proactively demanded a reform of outdated decision-making processes in an open letter.

Sergio Perez champions better driver sway in F1, pushes for GPDA’s influence in the sport

Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez (Via IMAGO)

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez emerges as a vocal advocate for injecting more driver influence into the sport’s decision-making machinery. While officially, the FIA, F1, and teams orchestrate the rules, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) appears to be a ceremonial entity, lacking formal power.

The debate surrounding driver influence gains relevance against F1’s ever-evolving landscape. As the sport encounters challenges like the unexpected Qatar GP heat or the distracting pre-race hype in Miami, the absence of a formal channel for drivers to voice their concerns becomes more glaring.

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Perez, however, sees potential in the GPDA to become a more influential player. He envisions a scenario where the collective voice of drivers, represented by the GPDA, holds more sway in the sport’s matters.

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I think it would be nicer if the GPDA could have a little bit more influence because GPDA is not just a single driver.

Perez said, as reported by Total Motorsports.

According to the Mexican, the GPDA signifies more than individual drivers; it represents a collective, a board, the majority of those living and breathing the sport. In Perez’s view, the GPDA’s role should extend beyond ceremonial duties, evolving into a potent force with a genuine impact on decision-making.

Sergio Perez urges F1 to evolve and seek GPDA’s collective role in decision-making

Perez articulates a desire for the GPDA to transcend its current ceremonial role, echoing that the association could offer a more robust, collective perspective. He said;

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. (Credits: Imago)
It’s the board, it’s the majority of all of us that are living the sport, and yeah, it would be nice to see in the near future that they will consider more the opinion of the GPDA as an association.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), a stalwart in the F1 landscape since its establishment in May 1961, holds a unique position as the drivers’ union. While officially mandated to champion the interests of F1 drivers, its influence remains largely ceremonial. Mercedes driver George Russell, legal adviser Anastasia Fowle, and former drivers Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Wurz (who serves as the chairman), the GPDA boasts a roster of influential voices. 

In the ongoing evolution of Formula One, the GPDA stands at a crossroads. Will it continue to be a ceremonial entity, or will it metamorphose into a potent force that actively shapes the sport’s destiny? As drivers like Perez advocate for a more substantial role, the GPDA’s potential transformation could usher in a new era where drivers wield a more significant influence in the sport. 

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