F1 News: Max Verstappen Calls For More Driver Influence To Tackle Key F1 Issues Collectively

“I would like to be the owner of F1 if I could, but that’s not the real world," said Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has expressed the urgency for an increased influence of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GDPA). He believes that enhanced influence not only provides a collective voice for drivers but, also empowers them to participate in decision-making processes independently.

The GDPA was first established in 1961 as a drivers' union that gave them a united voice to raise concerns for subjects related to Formula 1 governance. Alexander Wurz, who competed in 69 Formula 1 races for Benetton, McLaren, and Williams from 1997 to 2007, has held the position of GPDA chairman since 2014. Current Mercedes driver George Russell serves as a director of GDPA. 

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Despite frequently providing inputs on matters like safety, the GPDA lacks any official authority, and drivers are eager for a more regular platform to express their opinions. Thus, championship winner Verstappen has called for an expansion of the GDPA's influence. He told the media:

“I think it just sometimes has too many rules that they have to take into account and too many politics as well to make a change or decision. Of course I would like to, as the GPDA, to have a say.

“I would like to be the owner of F1 if I could, but that’s not the real world.

“We keep expressing our concerns, but also what has been done correctly. And we keep that dialogue open, we try to always make them listen, and we listen as well, we tried to communicate and we’ll see what comes out of it in the coming years.”

Not only the Dutchman but, teammate Sergio Perez has also voiced a similar opinion, stressing that the GDPA is a collective voice. he added:

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

“It’s the board, it’s the majority of all of us that are living the sport, and it would be nice to see in the near future that they will consider more the opinion of the GPDA as an association.”

The GDPA has previously organized boycotts of several Grand Prix events, citing safety concerns. In the 1960s and ’70s, the GPDA boycotted the Spa and Nurburgring Grand Prix. In 1982, there was a drivers' strike ahead of the South African Grand Prix.