Carlos Sainz has explained why he has joined as chairman of the GPDA, the union of Formula 1 drivers. With ten years of experience in Formula 1, the Spaniard says he is increasingly understanding how the sport works and felt the time was ripe to take on this role.
On the third and final test day in Bahrain, Carlos Sainz joins the press conference, where he explains his decision to join the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) as chairman. “This winter I had some time to think. I was at home and suddenly realized that it might be my time. Now that I am thirty and have ten years of experience in Formula 1, I am beginning to understand how this sport works, with the combination of the drivers, the FOM and the link with the FIA.”
In January, Sainz had a meeting in Monaco with Alex Wurz, also chairman of the union of Formula 1 drivers. “He supported the idea. So far we only had one driver-chairman, namely George Russell. I just felt that I was ready and wanted to take over the role. My friends here seem to agree with that and support it, so that makes it even easier.”
Plenty of Challenges
Sainz has been in office for less than a week, but he already has a clear understanding of the ongoing issues. According to the Spaniard, the twenty-minute press conference is not sufficient to discuss in detail the problems the GPDA is facing. “Perhaps we need another interview for that,” he says. “But some matters are private issues that we are trying to handle privately.”
A more public issue Sainz refers to is the letter WRC drivers sent to the FIA in response to the fine driver Adrien Fourmaux received for swearing. “So it seems we are all in a similar state of mind in that respect. But yes, I think that requires another, longer interview.”
The GPDA was established in the 1960s, became inactive in 1982, but was revived after the tragic events during the Grand Prix weekend in Imola in 1994. Since then, the organization has served as the collective voice of the drivers, influencing key decisions and changes within the sport. The GPDA has been particularly instrumental in the area of safety in Formula 1, with the introduction of the halo being a recent example.
