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Unprecedented Unity Among F1 Drivers Amid Contention with FIA, Asserts George Russell

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 3, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Hamilton Expresses Joy Over Ferrari Performance During F1 Pre-Season Testing

Formula One F1 - Pre Season Testing - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - February 26, 2025 Mercedes' George Russell ahead of testing REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Formula 1 drivers have reached unprecedented levels of unity, according to George Russell, the British racing driver and director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) since 2021. This solidarity comes at a time of escalating friction with Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Tensions between the drivers and the FIA president were ignited last autumn, following the penalty imposed on Max Verstappen for using profanity during a press conference in Singapore, which resulted in a community service sentence. This incident was not isolated, as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also faced disciplinary action for a similar violation at the Mexico City Grand Prix, albeit he received a monetary fine.

These penalties came in the wake of the FIA’s amendment to its International Sporting Code, which now severely restricts drivers from using explicit language. Sulayem justified this policy by stating that drivers should refrain from speaking like “rappers”. However, these comments did not sit well with the drivers, with Verstappen resorting to hosting his own press conferences and providing minimal responses at the official ones. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, speculated racial undertones to Sulayem’s remarks.

In response, the GPDA released a statement urging the Emirati president to reconsider his choice of words and tone. The drivers’ union is now preparing to contest the sanctions imposed by Sulayem, and recently, Carlos Sainz has been appointed a director of the GPDA to aid in this endeavor.

Russell warmly welcomed Sainz’s appointment and praised his expertise and wisdom. He expressed his relief at having another driver to share responsibilities with, especially since Sebastian Vettel’s retirement left him as the sole director for the past few years.

Russell further stressed that the unity among the 20 drivers is stronger than ever, especially amidst off-track issues. He also expressed confidence that Sainz’s seasoned voice would be a valuable addition to the GPDA.

As the F1 community continues to grapple with these contentious issues, it’s clear that the drivers are banding together to ensure their voices are heard. This unity, heightened by the addition of Sainz to the GPDA’s leadership, could be a game-changer for the sport. The future of F1 could very well hinge on the strength of this solidarity and the drivers’ collective response to the FIA’s policies.

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