The drivers are waiting to see real changes from the FIA, not just words
Following Mohammed Ben Sulayem's statements about constructive discussions with the pilots, the latter expressed their desire for concrete changes, beyond the effects of announcements.
The rupture seems to confirm between the drivers and the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The former still have a bone to pick with the fines and threats made regarding their swearing on the radio or during press conferences. The issue is not limited to F1, as rally drivers have also expressed their dissatisfaction and have simply chosen to respond in English at the end of stages after Adrien Fourmaux was fined 10,000 euros for saying, “We screwed up.”
Earlier in the week, Mohammed Ben Sulayem mentioned in an Instagram post constructive feedback and declared himself ready to adopt changes. Asked about the subject, George Russell, president of the GPDA drivers’ association, stated ahead of the Miami weekend that it was currently just words and concrete changes were still expected: Conceptually, yes. But obviously, we want to see these changes in action rather than saying we are considering… We are all considering many things. We have made it clear that we want changes. Once they are implemented, then we can comment on them. But at the moment, it’s just under consideration. So these words mean nothing until there are changes.
The topic inevitably came up during the FIA press conference. The Mercedes driver then put things into perspective and expressed regret about having to deal with issues that should not be at the forefront of drivers’ concerns: I have the impression that what we have experienced over the last 18 months is unprecedented with the changes and what is happening. I think when the GPDA was founded several years ago, it was not to talk politics. It was to talk about safety, improvements for the sport, and improvements in the spectacle on track. Especially I find myself talking about topics I had no intention of discussing. But we are at a point where we are not focused on why we are here.
Present alongside him, Lewis Hamilton supported the words of his former teammate: « Obviously, we are facing somewhat difficult communication. In the end, we have no power and that needs to change, in my opinion. In other sports, they have unions. It’s perhaps something that will need to happen at some point. We don’t want to control things, just collaborate more and have our voice heard. »
As a co-owner of the NFL team Denver Broncos, the new Ferrari driver knows that American football players are protected by an agreement supported by their union against the league and team owners. However, these discussions have also contributed to the establishment of salary caps for players, while F1 drivers’ salaries are currently excluded from the teams’ budget cap.
