Russell never expected GPDA F1 role to get “so political”

George Russell “by no means anticipated to have a lot on my arms and for it to be so political” in his Components 1 position as a Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation director. 

Because the begin of the 2021 season, Russell’s third in F1, the Mercedes driver has been a director of the drivers’ physique, as he changed Romain Grosjean following the Frenchman’s exit from Haas and the championship.

When Sebastian Vettel retired on the finish of the next yr, it left Russell as the one actively racing member of the GPDA.

He works alongside chairman and former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, plus fellow director and authorized consultant Anastasia Fowle.

In his time representing the GPDA, Russell’s stint has taken within the close to drivers’ strike following the missile assault on the 2022 Saudia Arabian Grand Prix and the present rigidity between the racers and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The GPDA released a letter in November imploring the FIA to treat its members as “adults” after Ben Sulayem had ignited controversy together with his stance to clampdown on driver swearing.

That is amid a wider push from throughout the governing physique to cease drivers unintentionally inciting abuse of officers with feedback picked up shortly by usually partisan fanbases.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, congratulates George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Workforce, third place, on the rostrum

Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos

Russell then stated he was shocked to obtain no response to the letter, with Ben Sulayem later telling the drivers by way of one other media interview it was “none of their business” how he runs motorsport.

Russell was requested to offer his newest views on the matter general – together with the event that the FIA deliberate at hand issues of compliance on to Ben Sulayem and the president of its senate, which was subsequently voted through at this month’s FIA general assembly – throughout the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

“Once I signed up in my position as GPDA [director], I by no means anticipated to have a lot on my arms and for it to be so political,” Russell informed choose media, together with Autosport. 

“I do not actually perceive any of this facet of the game. And it was extra from a sporting perspective and security perspective that I needed to get my arms soiled with. 

“Whereas, now, it appears all we’re speaking about is the politics of the game.

“I do not need to remark an excessive amount of on it [the FIA’s compliance system changes] as a result of I am not educated sufficient to make these assumptions. 

“However I believe what it’s raised [is that] all of the drives are united, that solely we would like the perfect for the game. We would like transparency. And we need to assist the FIA and so simple as that.”