In a pointed critique that underscores growing tensions between Formula 1 drivers and the sport's governing body, GPDA director George Russell has vented his frustration over the FIA’s apparent indifference to the group's concerns.
Speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Russell revealed that the collective grievances of the drivers - expressed in a formal letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem - have been met with an infuriating lack of response.
The Grand Prix Drivers Association’s letter came in the wake of simmering discontent over the FIA’s handling of key issues, particularly regarding fines and penalties associated with the drivers’ discourse and heat-of-the-moment swearing.
The group’s statement, released after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, was unusually blunt. It urged Ben Sulayem to “consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them,” and demanded transparency about the monetary fines imposed on drivers.
The backdrop to the letter was a string of controversial incidents. Max Verstappen was handed community service for swearing during the Singapore GP Thursday press conference, while Charles Leclerc received a €10,000 fine for also using the F-word in Mexico’s post-race presser.
The drivers are questioning not only the severity of these punishments but also where the money from fines is actually going.
“I’m not too sure if we feel we are being listened to and some of the changes we are requesting are implemented,” Russell said, reacting to the FIA’s radio silence.
“There are a number of drivers who feel fed up with the whole situation, and only it seems to be going, to a degree, in the wrong direction.
“For us, when we were hearing from the FIA a couple of years ago, when they had the presidential elections, they were all about transparency,” Russell added.
“About where the money was going to be reinvested in terms of grassroots racing, which we are all in favour of. We just want the transparency, an understanding of what was promised from the beginning.”
Russell stressed that the drivers’ grievances come from a desire to collaborate with the FIA, not to antagonize it. The letter was intended to demonstrate the depth of their concerns and push for meaningful dialogue.
“Getting things to change or promises upheld seems slightly more challenging,” Russell said, alluding to what he sees as the governing body’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue.
“Maybe the FIA or the president did not recognise how seriously we all felt.”
The GPDA has made clear that the drivers want more input into the sport’s direction, arguing that their on-the-ground perspective is critical for making decisions that enhance the sport's integrity and competitiveness.
“Over the course of 20 races this year and even last year we spoke about a number of topics, all the drivers, we feel pretty similar, we know what we want from the sport and the directions it has been heading,” the Mercedes driver explained.
“And we feel we want a small U-turn on a number of topics and we want to work together with the FIA on this. We felt that has not been happening at all from the president.”
Regarding the FIA’s abrupt decision last week to part ways with F1 race director Niels Wittich, Russell called out the move for its opacity.
“We definitely weren’t aware,” the Briton said. “It was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody.”
“For us, often, as drivers, we feel like we’re the last to find out this sort of information. And when it involves us kind of directly it would be nice to be kept in the loop and just have an understanding of what decisions are being made.
“So time will tell. I’m sure the new guy [Rui Marques] will handle the position just fine, but definitely not an easy race for a new race director.”
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