Grand Prix Drivers' Association

The GPDA was founded in May 1961 and, following an election by members, its inaugural Chairman was Stirling Moss. After Moss retired from the sport in 1963, Jo Bonnier succeeded him.{{cite book |last=Whitelock |first=Mark |title=1½-litre Grand Prix Racing |publisher=Veloce Publishing Ltd |year=2006 |isbn=1-84584-016-X |page=42}}

The organisation's initial aim was to obtain representation on the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to advocate for improved safety standards and provisions for both drivers and spectators. The GPDA organised driver boycotts of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (1969){{Cite web |last=Fearnley |first=Paul |date=2019-08-29 |title=F1 history: The 1969 Belgian Grand Prix that never happened |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1-history-1969-belgian-grand-prix-never-happened/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}} and the Nürburgring (1970, post-1976).{{Cite web |title=Circuits: Nurburgring |url=https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cir-056.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=www.grandprix.com}}{{Cite web |last=Schot |first=Marcel |title=The F1 FAQ |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/bel/faq.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=atlasf1.autosport.com}}

The organisation fractured during the FISA–FOCA war, during which drivers in teams aligned with FISA (mostly auto manufacturer teams like Ferrari) clashed with drivers in FOCA teams (mostly private racing teams like Lotus, McLaren, or Williams).{{Cite web |date=2024-03-16 |title=F1 drivers on strike at the first GP |url=https://www.historyracingpedia.com/stories/nl/f1-drivers-strike-kyalami-south-africa-1982.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Historyracingpedia |language=}} GPDA chairman Jody Scheckter, a Ferrari driver, used his GPDA role to take FISA's side in the conflict, arguing that ground effect cars (pioneered by the FOCA teams) were unsafe for drivers.{{Cite news |date=1980-06-02 |title=FISA/FOCA war |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/fisa-foca-war-5053079/5053079/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230325035009/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/fisa-foca-war-5053079/5053079/ |archive-date=2023-03-25 |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Autosport |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=1980-05-26 |title=1980: FISA/FOCA war over F1 |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/1980-fisa-foca-war-over-f1-5053074/5053074/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Autosport}} In response, several drivers for FOCA teams, including Williams' Alan Jones and Brabham's Nelson Piquet, resigned from the GPDA,{{Cite web |last=Diepraam |first=Mattijs |date=2007-12-13 |title=8W - When? - The FISA-FOCA war |url=https://www.forix.com/8w/fiasco-79-80.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=www.forix.com}} and Lotus' Mario Andretti publicly suggested that FISA president Jean-Marie Balestre was no longer fit for the job.{{Cite web |last=Capps |first=Don |date=2003-02-19 |title=Back to the Future: The FIASCO War |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/2003/feb19/capps.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Atlas F1 Magazine}}

In addition, the GPDA organised a successful drivers' strike at the 1982 South African Grand Prix after FISA proposed new regulations that gave them wider grounds to strip drivers of their FIA Super Licenses, although in that case, FOCA agreed with FISA's position.{{Cite news |date=1992-06-02 |title=Kyalami drivers' strike |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/kyalami-drivers-strike-5053026/5053026/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Autosport}} The drivers defeated the regulations but were fined and sanctioned by the FIA. Following the strike, a number of drivers met to disband the GPDA and replace it with the Professional Racing Drivers Association (PRDA), which theoretically extended to all professional drivers.{{Cite web |date=2014-07-07 |title=The Formula One Scene |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-1982/32/formula-one-scene/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}} The PRDA never matched the prominence or effectiveness of the original GPDA, and was said to have "faded away."

Ahead of the 1994 season, the FIA banned electronic driver aids such as active suspension and traction control.{{Cite web |title=Re-writing the F1 rulebook - Part 2: from driver aids to increased safety |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/re-writing-the-f1-rulebook-part-2--from-driver-aids-to-stepped.6ng1HQEGGsImQKekgaG4sw |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Spurgeon |first=Brad |date=1993-12-11 |title=So Hard on Prost, Racing Pulls a Punch for Senna |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/11/sports/IHT-so-hard-on-prost-racing-pulls-a-punch-for-senna.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=International Herald Tribune}} The speed of the change (the FIA was so eager to implement the ban that it initially suggested imposing the ban in the middle of the 1993 season) was criticised by several drivers, who believed that it would lead to unsafe design flaws in the 1994 cars. Williams' Ayrton Senna publicly complained that the 1994 cars were less safe and predicted "lots of accidents," and McLaren's Martin Brundle claimed that because of the rushed nature of the changes, the drivers had "less control of the car" than in years past.{{Cite web |last=Ibrar |first=Malik |date=2019-07-07 |title=Did a Return to Simpler Cars in 1994 Contribute to the Accidents? |url=https://www.unracedf1.com/made-simpler-cars-in-1994-contribute-to-the-accidents/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=UnracedF1.com |language=nl-NL}}

Ahead of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Senna proposed re-forming the GPDA to give the drivers a unified voice in support of safety reforms. However, Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were both killed by on-track accidents during that race weekend.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Adam |last2=Morrison |first2=Mac |date=2014-04-30 |title=How the deaths of Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger changed Formula One safety forever |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1894811/how-deaths-ayrton-senna-roland-ratzenberger-changed-formula-one-safety-forever/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Dylan |date=22 April 2011 |title=The last 96 hours of Ayrton Senna |url=http://8w.forix.com/senna1994.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031101710/http://8w.forix.com/senna1994.html |archive-date=31 October 2012 |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=8wforix}}

Before the following race, the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix, Niki Lauda, Christian Fittipaldi, Michael Schumacher, and Gerhard Berger re-established the GPDA, with assistance from Martin Brundle.{{Cite web |last=Collantine |first=Keith |date=2014-05-15 |title=Schumacher takes fourth win at subdued Monaco |url=https://www.racefans.net/2014/05/15/1994-monaco-grand-prix-flashback/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=RaceFans |language=en-GB}} In its early days, the GPDA was opposed by FIA president Max Mosley, who claimed that non-drivers were interfering with the organisation.

In 1996, the GPDA was incorporated as a UK company limited by guarantee ("Grand Prix Drivers Association Ltd").{{cite web |title=Company No. 03157191 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03157191 |publisher=Companies House}} For the first time, the association had a formal corporate constitution and permanent offices in Monaco.{{cite web |date=1 April 1996 |title=The drivers challenge Mosley |url=https://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns00538.html |work=GrandPrix.com |publisher=Inside F1, Inc.}} The first directors of the incorporated GPDA were Brundle, Schumacher, and Berger.{{Cite web |date=1996-02-05 |title=Certificate of Incorporation of a Private Limited Company - Company No. 3157191 |url=https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/KyUYF9U-xUb5JPn-cFo3Tj2_HyLozhwlAYxGxlsV1M8/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3K5C3QPWM%2F20241223%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20241223T140416Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEAsaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJIMEYCIQDg8MRXHDRdGPhXUzmbJBIV2zq0yrJqPCSYEyG9qphqmAIhAMUCHUL0U27yqoZpqhnKO553rLMTyGPa5ro3AJOOBnURKsMFCNT%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEQBRoMNDQ5MjI5MDMyODIyIgzI4%2FTfEGlrvk944gwqlwVUQSv45weu%2BDm876PKNAeMiQUk%2FgSFfSy3bSRZ20bV7WKbEg5sp%2FvC2jvwGVzpkAxJk3EdcehHiISXPKeaUvHUfirmbpFz1j1tQCVkuZWvoZG5OPjK%2BRTYYgTwv9r5TPwn2zqilrswKJ46Y3qSTBISqCewgj6oGsqBa9aDcHUnj2NPF8l3U%2F3dmcLhJDa52gl%2FhQW3EFUM5Zr49gcdqL2Qg%2FK79FvM4kNhGLpD61rurjleS%2FAMQOruZ%2BrmiGvIFS0d%2BovFniPT5dFkmGaKTp6cC1dNWBRg8mU4%2BEBaNAF7amfcEmJXRdke7PeRvig%2BdbX9arYNhsG1Y%2F8K2J5HVP1MY4W6jRMNc%2BS%2BudU%2FXRLphkNkIaFl84gF1mEACvNKucK9Q%2B%2FRphYkifMT2ENtSSk9iTm7IcGUA1niscQM7EBLl84%2BW92UCGY%2FmV%2BFoPkMxaGzDbgddMeQ%2BCQXaUX0Gi2CbNolIN7e0YrMymu8sHkL5p0%2FYVcXF9AJRERgtvRRaqOIYWZpXdsEWKIZMY8GPD82bXePoPsABxNo3wGwDhSa0kPDpM%2F8EUx4Pp39z7SiLDIjbVO8txT3RgJbthn%2B04RARmo84iMqFx2JM0JuRbksc3zD0Or82F3lOr51h2%2FtBZ0jz5irPFGYikm7SqSGeRElAZ8MwCia%2FT%2Bqf%2BGsoPwfroYwHTczQHz2WoPWQEGs77OwoAFat6W3hrzvZtKRZYygfBqCE%2BMGJlaNCIB2fWuBTZmrlJDcg%2FHowPQmiOhbgwnhGPVm7IiEB1MkxgDaQYHXAtSiksJSc%2BWrarpTuA20VYhXrEP%2FU0f5kJbEzSfQe8StqJflk%2BtBrGEPbDs2wQytKyHoX3PopVq3zoeqWHfz%2Fie5gaveSeow9P2kuwY6sAE1KLnXcsIBR6GhPCiAgbNBGeONK98OfKT223O5LEqttLijM%2Fyggl5hO0eGxQjV1XbSk4Xk9MTFMoTd6%2Fv1pBcTpUrINwSFGZu%2Bsqd5BXywcSUnmXPEeAJ6kNw0zMyF3u7dHqdnfzzno%2F7llKQhxjRvjUrPirLWdQu%2FDe0dJqWA4MWShISe2ndNcDcdyDGGi9GDJrC3KWZ7zeEgUhgDutg1rO2S0kqiQvkiPl%2FD2XyVrw%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22companies_house_document.pdf%22&X-Amz-Signature=93b62e011bcc75623ef59569d5a441079d9d5e67715aa7f21c8baf966fae6255 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Companies House}}

Since 1994, the GPDA's primary mission has been to improve safety on track. The GPDA threatened to boycott the 2013 German Grand Prix after a series of dangerous tyre blowouts at the British Grand Prix.{{Cite news |date=2013-07-04 |title=German Grand Prix: Drivers' withdrawal threat over tyres |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/23190671 |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{cite web |date=1 July 2013 |title=Drivers threaten to boycott German Grand Prix after dangerous tyre explosions |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10151649/British-Grand-Prix-2013-Drivers-threaten-to-boycott-German-Grand-Prix-after-dangerous-tyre-explosions.html |access-date=5 July 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph}} The GPDA also pushed for stricter safety regulations at private team testing sessions, an area that the FIA traditionally did not regulate.{{Cite web |title=When Formula One Drivers Work as a Team |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/iht/2006/07/28/sports/IHT-28prix.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=International Herald Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Knutson |first=Dan |date=2006-05-06 |title=Knutson: Webber sounds off about testing safety |url=https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?series=6&id=2435825 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In 2006, Williams' Alexander Wurz, a future GPDA chairman, said that the GPDA's safety push had helped cut the drivers' casualty insurance premiums by nearly half.

{{See also|Death of Ayrton Senna#Safety improvements}}

Following Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger's deaths at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the reformed GPDA asked the FIA to limit speeds in dangerous areas and improve safety technology.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=James |date=2024-05-01 |title=Ayrton Senna and Imola 1994: F1's darkest weekend |url=https://www.formulanerds.com/features/ayrton-senna-and-imola-1994-f1s-darkest-weekend/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=FormulaNerds.com |language=en-US}} For example, during the 1994 season, temporary chicanes were installed at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's Nissan corner{{cite web |title=F1 – 1994 FIA Review – 05 Spain |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVUGs0lgaFY&t=1m11s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/IVUGs0lgaFY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |access-date=2017-03-29 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps' Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Will |date=2023-07-06 |title=Bring back Eau Rouge chicane after driver deaths at Spa - Zhou |url=https://www.racefans.net/2023/07/06/bring-back-eau-rouge-chicane-after-driver-deaths-at-spa-zhou/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=RaceFans |language=en-GB}} In addition, a pit lane speed limit was introduced, and tracks were revised to provide larger run-off areas at the most dangerous corners.{{Cite news |last=Duxbury |first=Anna |date=2021-11-26 |title=History of safety devices in Formula 1: The halo, barriers & more |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/history-of-safety-devices-in-formula-1-the-halo-barriers-more-4982360/4982360/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240722032956/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/history-of-safety-devices-in-formula-1-the-halo-barriers-more-4982360/4982360/ |archive-date=2024-07-22 |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=Autosport |language=en}}

In 2005, Michelin belatedly realised that its tyres could not handle the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's steeply banked Turn 13, prompting the teams with Michelin tyre contracts to drop out of the {{F1 GP|2005|United States}}. Ferrari, which had a Bridgestone tyre contract, participated and won the race.{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Adam |date=2020-06-19 |title=The 2005 US GP farce: The full inside story |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-2005-us-gp-farce-the-full-inside-story/4809048/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241216132401/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-2005-us-gp-farce-the-full-inside-story/4809048/ |archive-date=2024-12-16 |access-date=2024-12-26 |language=en}} Following the race, the FIA sought to punish the Michelin teams for dropping out. In response, the drivers for the Michelin-supplied teams issued a statement arguing that their teams acted appropriately to protect their drivers' safety. However, the GPDA chairman, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher (who won the race), publicly opposed the statement and denied that the GPDA was involved in the statement. Complicating matters, Jarno Trulli (the polesitter, who was forced to drop out) contradicted Schumacher and characterised the statement as a GPDA statement.{{Cite web |title=Indy drivers' protest: only Schumie wouldn't sign |url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/motoring/indy-drivers-protest-only-schumie-wouldnt-sign-872123 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}

Later that year, FIA president Max Mosley cancelled a meeting with the GPDA, purportedly in retaliation for statements made by the GPDA's David Coulthard. The meeting was reportedly calendared to discuss the Michelin tyre dispute and proposed safety measures at F1 teams' private test sessions. Mosley claimed Coulthard's statements to the media were a "distortion" of the purpose of the meeting and accused him of stirring up dissent. In response, the GPDA stated that Mosley had threatened to withdraw his support for the GPDA's safety initiatives.[http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/jul/06mosley.htm "GPDA Statement "].

Jules Bianchi was fatally injured at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and died after several months in a coma. Following his death, the GPDA issued a statement saying that it felt a responsibility "to never relent in improving safety."{{cite news |title=Jules Bianchi death: F1 must 'never relent in improving safety' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/33583328 |access-date=5 April 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} The GPDA participated in the FIA's official review of the events of the Japanese GP.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Will |date=2024-10-05 |title=10 years since F1's last fatal crash: How Bianchi tragedy changed motorsport |url=https://www.racefans.net/2024/10/05/10-years-since-f1s-last-fatal-crash-how-bianchi-tragedy-changed-motorsport/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=RaceFans |language=en-GB}} It also encouraged new safety reforms, including the "halo" cockpit protection device,{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2017-07-20 |title=Formula 1 drivers' GPDA backs controversial 2018 FIA halo decision |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/formula-1-drivers-gpda-backs-controversial-2018-fia-halo-decision-4998981/4998981/}} which Formula One (and some drivers) initially resisted.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-29 |title=GPDA surprised by F1's Halo U-turn |url=https://www.espn.com.au/f1/story/_/id/17170026/gpda-surprised-f1-halo-u-turn |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

{{See also|2022 Jeddah missile attack}}

During the weekend of the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the GPDA held a four-hour meeting to discuss multiple missile attacks in the Jeddah region, some as close as 10km from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. After discussing the issue with Saudi government officials and FIA regulators, it eventually issued a statement confirming that the drivers would participate, despite their "natural concerns" about driver and team safety.{{Cite news |title=Drivers agree to race despite missile attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/60885031 |access-date=26 March 2022 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Under the leadership of Alexander Wurz (who became the GPDA chairman in 2014), the organisation grew "increasingly proactive in looking beyond [solely driver safety] to a more holistic bigger picture" about the structure and governance of the sport.{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=2016-03-24 |title=Why Formula 1 drivers are in revolt |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/why-formula-1-drivers-are-revolt/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}} In 2023, director George Russell explained that the GPDA was broadly concerned with three main topics: driver safety, "on-track entertainment," and "how it feels to drive the cars",{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Sam |date=2023-09-07 |title=George Russell reveals three key factors dominating latest F1 driver meetings |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-gpda-driver-discussions |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en}} although he subsequently noted that the role had grown unexpectedly political.{{Cite web |last=Kalinauckas |first=Alex |date=2024-12-23 |title=Russell never expected GPDA F1 role to get "so political" |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/russell-never-expected-gpda-f1-role-to-get-so-political/10684307/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Autosport |language=en}}

In 2017, following Liberty Media's purchase of the Formula One Group, the GPDA sent Liberty a letter encouraging it to revise F1's sporting regulations to encourage closer racing. Wurz explained that "we all love one great natural overtaking much more than ten or more DRS overtakes." However, he also credited Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds with helping push for new regulations, which debuted in 2022.{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2022-02-22 |title=How a drivers' letter helped set in motion F1's new rules era |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/how-a-drivers-letter-helped-set-in-motion-f1s-new-rules-era/8394875/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231025190103/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/how-a-drivers-letter-helped-set-in-motion-f1s-new-rules-era/8394875/ |archive-date=2023-10-25 |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=en}} Motor Sport had previously noted that the drivers almost unanimously criticised regulation changes rolled out before the 2017 season, which they felt "will make overtaking even more difficult than it actually is."

The GPDA became increasingly critical of Bernie Ecclestone's leadership during his final years in charge of Formula One. In 2015, the GPDA and Motorsport.com jointly organised a fan survey,{{cite web |date=2015-06-12 |title=Grand Prix Drivers' Association Sets Global Fan Survey Record |url=https://motorsport.com/f1/news/grand-prix-drivers-association-sets-global-fan-survey-record/ |publisher=Motorsport.com.}}{{Cite web |date=2015-07-01 |title=Global Formula 1™ Fan Survey 2015 Executive Summary |url=https://cdn-0.motorsport.com/gpda/2015%20%20GPDA%20Survey%20EXEC%20SUMMARY.pdf |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Grand Prix Drivers' Association}} which Wurz interpreted as saying that the fans (like him) "do not want [Formula One] to become an artificial show with gimmicks introduced to simply make it more entertaining".{{Cite web |date=2015-07-02 |title=Formula 1 2015: Grand Prix Drivers Association releases findings from Global Fan Survey |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/formula-one/formula-1-2015-grand-prix-drivers-association-releases-findings-from-global-fan-survey/news-story/6eb687f34d04125dc655d8f4da4f78a2 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}} He added that "F1's business has become too important, jeopardising our sport."{{Cite news |last= |date=2015-07-01 |title=F1 fans think sport has become too boring and expensive, says survey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/01/f1-fans-sport-boring-expensive |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In 2016, following changes to the qualifying system, the GPDA released a statement calling F1's decision making "obsolete" and "ill-structured". The GPDA believed that the decision making could "jeopardise F1's future success."{{cite news |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |title=GPDA letter: What were Formula 1 drivers trying to achieve? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35930489 |access-date=5 April 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} Ecclestone angrily dismissed the GPDA's statement, saying that the drivers were "only saying what their teams have told them to say"{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Giles |date=2016-03-23 |title=F1 drivers in open revolt against Bernie Ecclestone’s running of sport |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/23/f1-drivers-demand-change-attack-obsolete-rule-making-qualifying |access-date=2024-12-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} and that they had no right to a say in F1 decisions because they had never invested money into the sport.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Nate |date=2016-04-04 |title=Bernie: Drivers 'shouldn't be allowed to talk' |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/15130147/bernie-ecclestone-f1-drivers-even-allowed-talk |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

In November 2024, the GPDA released a public statement outlining several grievances against the FIA including the issue of drivers swearing during races, the tone and language of the FIA President (Mohammed Ben Sulayem) in public statements, and the policy surrounding driver fines.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2024 |title=GPDA release statement about the swearing controversy towards the FIA |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13249807/f1-drivers-call-out-fia-president-mohammed-ben-sulayem-in-response-to-swearing-saga-ahead-of-las-vegas-gp |access-date=7 November 2024 |work=Sky Sports |language=en-GB}}{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Andrew |date=7 November 2024 |title=F1 drivers ask FIA to treat them like adults |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c62486kxlgro |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{cite news |last=Boxall-Legge |first=Jake |date=7 November 2024 |title=GPDA asks FIA to treat F1 drivers like adults over swearing row |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gpda-asks-fia-to-treat-f1-drivers-like-adults-over-swearing/10671304/ |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Motorsport}} In addition, that year, GPDA director George Russell requested more transparency from the FIA after a series of personnel changes.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=George Russell says F1 drivers want to know 'who's getting fired next' as key staff leave FIA |url=https://apnews.com/article/george-russell-fia-f1-qatar-1a59040a3e07cf3800b9d518dd79f45a |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=AP News |language=en}}

The GPDA occasionally protests when the FIA raises the price of the FIA Super License, which all drivers must receive in order to compete in F1. In 2009, the GPDA explained that while it would not oppose reasonable price increases, "Super Licence fees should not be a revenue stream for the FIA" and "as a principle, the drivers should not be taxed to fund the costs of others fulfilling their legal duty to the drivers."{{Cite news |date=2009-02-07 |title=The full statement from the GPDA |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-full-statement-from-the-gpda-4426066/4426066/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=Autosport}} The FIA eventually agreed to cut Super License fees ahead of the 2010 season.{{Cite news |date=2009-03-24 |title=F1 set to cut super-licence fee |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7960648.stm |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Membership of GPDA is not compulsory. During the 2017 season, nine drivers and two free practice drivers declined to join.{{Cite web |last=van Osten |first=Phillip |date=2017-05-14 |title=Grosjean blasts and discloses non-GPDA members |url=https://f1i.com/news/267979-grosjean-blasts-discloses-non-gpda-members.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=F1i.com |language=en}} However, by the end of the year, every F1 driver agreed to join the organisation for possibly the first time in association history.{{cite news |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |title=Formula 1 drivers' union gets '100%' membership due to concerns over future |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/42314309 |access-date=13 December 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}

Over the years, drivers have declined to join the organisation for a variety of reasons, such as Lewis Hamilton (lack of time and excessive entry fees),{{cite web |date=18 March 2008 |title=Online: Hamilton stance on union 'wrong' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/7302167.stm |access-date=4 October 2010 |publisher=BBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2008-05-11 |title=Hamilton unmoved by GPDA calls |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/hamilton-unmoved-by-gpda-calls-4419775/4419775/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Autosport}} Michael Schumacher (personal distaste for the GPDA chairman),{{Cite news |date=2010-04-07 |title=Schumacher to be 'silent' GPDA member - spokeswoman |url=https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/schumacher-to-be-silent-gpda-member-spokeswoman/2416680/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=Motorsport.com}} Kimi Räikkönen (lack of interest), and Max Verstappen (felt attacked by several drivers who were GPDA members and doubtful of the organisation's effectiveness),{{Cite web |date=2015-07-05 |title=Max Verstappen slams fan survey, Formula One Grand Prix Drivers' Association |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1872711/max-verstappen-slams-fan-survey-formula-one-grand-prix-drivers-association/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}} although Hamilton, Schumacher, Räikkönen, and Verstappen all eventually reconsidered.{{Cite web |last=Panzariu |first=Ovidiu |date=2009-03-26 |title=Lewis Hamilton Joins the GPDA |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lewis-hamilton-joins-the-gpda-5341.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=autoevolution |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=James |date=2017-12-13 |title=Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen both make move because of 'politics' |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/891800/Lewis-Hamilton-Kimi-Raikkonen-Grand-Prix-Drivers-Association-union-F1 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mulder |first=Nicole |date=2024-12-07 |title=Verstappen and Russell put side by side by GPDA: 'The other drivers wanted that' |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/317505/max-verstappen-and-george-russell-put-side-by-side-by-gpda.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=GPblog.com |language=en}}

GPDA members elect their representatives. As of 2025, there are four directors: active Formula One drivers George Russell and Carlos Sainz Jr., legal adviser Anastasia Fowle (the first non-F1 driver past or present to be appointed a GPDA director) and former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, who serves as chairman.{{cite web |last1=Collantine |first1=Keith |title=Russell and Fowle become GPDA directors as Grosjean steps back |url=https://www.racefans.net/2021/03/23/russell-and-fowle-become-gpda-directors-as-grosjean-steps-back/ |website=RaceFans |date=23 March 2021 |access-date=23 March 2021}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=F1 driver union: Carlos Sainz replaces Sebastian Vettel as director |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/carlos-sainz-f1-gpda-driver-union-director-sebastian-vettel/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=The Race |language=en}}

Note: from 1996{{Cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/38780/1/trulli-elected-to-gpda|title=Trulli elected to GPDA|date=25 May 2001}}{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=29 September 2006 |title=Alonso elected as GPDA director |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/alonso-elected-as-gpda-director-4405360/4405360/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=autosport.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51129820100828|title = Barrichello replaces Heidfeld as GPDA director|newspaper = Reuters|date = 28 August 2010}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/romain-grosjean-replaces-jenson-button-as-f1-gpda-director-5016259/5016259/|title = Romain Grosjean replaces Jenson Button as F1 GPDA director}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/all-change-at-the-gpda.html|title = All change at the GPDA}}

{{Portal|Formula One}}

• Jackie Stewart
• Sid Watkins
• Road safety
• World Rally Drivers Alliance – Similar organisation founded by World Rally Championship drivers

{{Reflist}}

• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/7302167.stm Hamilton stance on union 'wrong'] BBC 18 March 2008

{{Authority control}}

Category:Formula One

Category:1961 establishments in Europe

Category:1982 disestablishments in Europe

Category:1994 establishments in Europe

Category:Trade unions established in 1961

Category:Trade unions disestablished in 1982

Category:Trade unions established in 1994

Category:Re-established companies