Hamilton Leads Call for F1 Drivers to Have More Say in Talks with FIA
Lewis Hamilton has led a call for changes that would give Formula One drivers a formal place in discussions with the sport’s governing body, the FIA. The seven-time world champion’s comments come after Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, hinted that he was considering adjusting the rules around punishments for drivers who make political statements or swear.
According to The Guardian, Hamilton made the remarks in response to Ben Sulayem’s social media post, which suggested that the FIA may be willing to revisit its regulations regarding driver conduct. The issue has been a point of contention between drivers and the FIA since last year, when Max Verstappen was punished for swearing in a press conference. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), which represents all 20 F1 drivers, wrote an open letter to the FIA calling for the governing body to treat them like adults and discuss the issues. However, the FIA did not respond.
Hamilton believes that the drivers are not being given due consideration. "Ultimately, the GPDA is very unified. We want to be able to work closely with the FIA," he said, as reported by The Guardian. "Of course, we’ve faced a bit of an uphill challenge in that communication over time. Ultimately we don’t hold a power seat at the table and that needs to change in my opinion. If you look at other sports that have unions that may be something that comes into play at some stage."
The GPDA is a private limited company with a formal constitution but not a registered trade union. However, it could still come to an agreement among members to act collectively. George Russell, a GPDA director, noted that Ben Sulayem had made his remarks without any reference or dialogue with the drivers and that they had still had no response from the governing body since publishing the open letter.
"It’s unprecedented times we’ve been in the last 18 months with what’s been changing, what’s happening," Russell said, according to The Guardian. "We want to see these things put into action rather than saying: ‘We’re considering things.’ We all consider a lot of things. We’re clear we want changes and once they are implemented, then we’ll comment on it. The words don’t mean anything until the change has been made."
The issue has gained significant attention in the F1 paddock, with some suggesting that Ben Sulayem’s statement was merely a tactic in attempting to align with drivers as he faces re-election for the presidency this year. As reported by The Guardian, Verstappen did not attend the pre-race media day in Miami, citing the upcoming birth of his child with partner Kelly Piquet.
A statement from the team read: "Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby. All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend. We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family."
Hamilton’s call for change is supported by the GPDA, which has been pushing for greater dialogue with the FIA. As The Guardian reports, the drivers are seeking to collaborate more closely with the governing body and have their voices heard. The outcome of the discussions remains to be seen, but it is clear that the drivers are united in their desire for change.
The FIA has faced criticism in recent times for its handling of driver conduct and penalties. The governing body has been accused of being heavy-handed in its punishments, which has led to tensions between the drivers and the FIA. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the FIA will respond to the drivers’ demands for greater dialogue and representation.
In related news, the F1 paddock is gearing up for the Miami Grand Prix, with practice and qualifying sessions set to take place on Friday and Saturday. The drivers will be hoping for a successful weekend, but the focus will also be on the ongoing discussions between the drivers and the FIA.
Source: The Guardian – Lewis Hamilton leads call for F1 drivers to have more say in talks with FIA
