| Abbreviation | GPDA |
|---|---|
| Formation | formed: 11 May 1961 disbanded: (February) 1982 reformed: (13) May 1994 |
| Headquarters |  Monaco |
Region served | International |
Chairman |  Alexander Wurz |
| Formula One |
|---|
The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) is the trade union of Formula One drivers.
The GPDA was founded in May 1961 and, following an election by members, its inaugural Chairman was Stirling Moss.
Its initial aims of this organisation were to obtain representation on the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which at the time was motorsport's governing body, in order to improve safety standards and provisions for both drivers and spectators. After Moss retired from the sport in 1963, Jo Bonnier succeeded him. [1]
The organisation was disbanded following the events during the 1982 South African Grand Prix due to the sport's changing commercial arrangements, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) adding restrictive clauses to the FIA Super Licence, and the conflict between the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) and FIA. It was replaced by the Professional Racing Drivers Association (PRDA) at a drivers' meeting in Paris before the planned-then-cancelled Argentine Grand Prix. [2] [3]
Niki Lauda, Christian Fittipaldi, Michael Schumacher and Gerhard Berger re-established the GPDA over the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix race weekend, following the events of the preceding San Marino Grand Prix, which culminated with the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, during the Sunday race and Saturday qualifying respectively. Shortly before his own fatal accident, and following the fatal accident of Ratzenberger and the serious accident of Rubens Barrichello during Thursday practice, Senna spent his final morning on the Sunday talking to former teammate and rival Alain Prost to discuss the re-establishment of the GPDA and had offered to take the Chairman role starting from the Monaco Grand Prix. [4]
In 1996, the association was incorporated in the UK as a company limited by guarantee ("Grand Prix Drivers Association Ltd"). [5] For the first time, the association had a formal constitution, and permanent offices in Monaco. [6]
Membership of GPDA is not compulsory. For example, during the 2013 Formula One season, only 19 out of 22 active drivers were members (with Kimi Räikkönen, Adrian Sutil and Valtteri Bottas being the exceptions). [7] as of 2008 membership cost £2,000. [8] It was announced on 13 December 2017 that all the drivers had signed up. [9]
GPDA members elect their representatives. As of 2017 there are four directors: active Formula One driver George Russell, legal adviser Anastasia Fowle (the first non-F1 driver past or present to be appointed a GPDA director) and former Formula One drivers Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Wurz, the latter of whom serves as chairman. [10] [11] [12]
| Chairman | Years of service |
|---|---|
 Stirling Moss | 1961–1963 |
 Jo Bonnier | 1963–1971 |
| Jackie Stewart | 1972–1978 |
 Jody Scheckter | 1979–1980 |
 Didier Pironi | 1980–1982 |
| GPDA disbanded | 1982–1994 |
 Michael Schumacher | 1994–2005 |
| David Coulthard | 2005–2006 |
| Ralf Schumacher | 2006–2008 |
 Pedro de la Rosa | 2008–2010, 2012–2014 |
| Nick Heidfeld | 2010 |
 Rubens Barrichello | 2010–2012 |
| Alexander Wurz | 2014–present |
Note: from 1996 [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]
| Director | Years | As chairman |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Schumacher | 1996–2005 | 1996–2005 |
| Gerhard Berger | 1996 | |
| Martin Brundle | 1996 | |
| Damon Hill | 1996–1998 | |
| David Coulthard | 1996–2006 | 2005–2006 |
| Alexander Wurz | 1998–2001 2014–present | 2014–present |
 Jarno Trulli | 2001–2006 | |
 Mark Webber | 2003–2005 2006–2010 | |
| Ralf Schumacher | 2006–2007 | 2006–2008 |
| Fernando Alonso | 2006–2010 | |
| Pedro de la Rosa | 2008–2010 2012–2014 | 2008–2010 2012–2014 |
| Nick Heidfeld | 2010 | 2010 |
| Felipe Massa | 2010–2013 | |
| Sebastian Vettel | 2010–present | |
| Rubens Barrichello | 2010–2011 | 2010–2011 |
| Jenson Button | 2013–2017 | |
| Romain Grosjean | 2017–2020 | |
| George Russell | 2021–present | |
| Anastasia Fowle | 2021–present |
During the 2005 season the GPDA became increasingly involved in the politics (and controversy) of Formula One.
Following the United States Grand Prix, the GPDA issued a statement supporting the case of the Michelin teams in the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Significantly, though the majority of drivers signed the statement, Michael Schumacher did not. He claimed that he was not asked to and would not have done so, in any event. The statement claimed that the FIA's proposed solutions to the problems experienced by the Michelin teams were unworkable. Schumacher claimed the problems at Indianapolis were technical rather than a safety issue.
A meeting between the GPDA and FIA president Max Mosley, scheduled for the British Grand Prix, was cancelled by Mosley because of statements made by David Coulthard. 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 retaliation the GPDA released a letter that had been sent to Mosley accusing him of jeopardising the GPDA's drive for improved safety:
In 2010, upon his return to the sport as a competitor, Michael Schumacher announced that he did not intend to join the GPDA. He subsequently became a "silent member" following discussions with GPDA directors (chiefly, Felipe Massa). [19]
Thanks to the activism of the GPDA, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was boycotted in 1969 and the Nürburgring in 1970 and after 1976, over safety concerns.
In 2013, following a series of tyre blowouts at the British Grand Prix, tyre safety became a major issue, with the GPDA announcing through a statement that its member drivers would withdraw from the subsequent German Grand Prix unless remedial action was taken. [20]
In May 2015, the GPDA and Motorsport.com joined forces to allow followers of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship to voice and share their opinions about the sport through an extensive worldwide survey for fans. [21] More than 200,000 respondents participated in the survey. [22]
In July 2015, following the death of Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, the GPDA announced that it felt a responsibility "to never relent in improving safety." [23]
In March 2016, following changes to the qualifying system, the GPDA released an open letter written by Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Wurz on behalf of all drivers saying that the sport's leadership was broken, calling the decision making within Formula One "obsolete" and "Ill-structured". The GPDA believed that the decision making could "jeopardise F1's future success." [24]
After the second free practice session of the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the GPDA held a four-hour meeting after multiple instances of missile strikes, some as close as 10km from the circuit. Pierre Gasly spoke to media later, saying, "Everyone was able to give their opinion. We were aligned with our intentions." A later statement from the FIA and Formula 1 assured that racing would go ahead and that the track was safe. GPDA chairman Alexander Wurz also issued a statement. [25]
Charles Whiting was a British motorsports director. He served as the FIA Formula One Race Director, Safety Delegate, Permanent Starter and head of the F1 Technical Department, in which capacities he managed the logistics of each F1 Grand Prix, inspected cars in parc fermé before a race, enforced FIA rules, and controlled the lights that start each race.
The 2000 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 4 June 2000 at the Circuit de Monaco before 100,000 spectators. It was the seventh round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the 58th Monaco Grand Prix. McLaren driver David Coulthard won the 78-lap race starting from third position. Rubens Barrichello finished second for the Ferrari team with Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella third.
The 2000 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 June 2000 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada before 100,000 people. It was the eighth round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the 38th Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the 69-lap race from pole position. His teammate Rubens Barrichello finished second with Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella third.
The 2000 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race contested on 30 July 2000, at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in front of 102,000 people. It was the 62nd German Grand Prix and the 11th round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship. Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello won the 45-lap race after starting 18th. McLaren's Mika Häkkinen finished second, with teammate David Coulthard third.
The 2000 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 13 August 2000, at the Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Pest, Hungary, attended by 120,000 spectators. The race was the twelfth of seventeen in the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the 18th in Hungary. Mika Häkkinen, driving a McLaren-Mercedes, won the 77-lap race after starting third. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher finished second after qualifying on pole position in the one-hour qualifying session the day before the race. Häkkinen's teammate David Coulthard finished third.
The 2000 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 27 August 2000 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Wallonia, Belgium with a crowd of 83,000 spectators. It was the 13th race of the 2000 Formula One World Championship, and the 58th Belgian Grand Prix. McLaren driver Mika Häkkinen won the 44-lap race from pole position. Michael Schumacher finished second in a Ferrari, and Williams driver Ralf Schumacher was third.
The 2000 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 10 September 2000, at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza near Monza, Lombardy, Italy, in front of an estimated 110,000 to 120,000 people. It was the 14th round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the season's final event in Europe. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the 53-lap race from pole position. McLaren's Mika Häkkinen took second and Williams' Ralf Schumacher was third.
The 2000 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 8 October 2000, in front of 151,000 people at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Suzuka, Mie, Japan. It was the 26th Japanese Grand Prix and the 16th and penultimate race of the 2000 Formula One World Championship. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the 53-lap race from pole position. McLaren's Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard finished second and third, respectively. Schumacher's victory confirmed him as the 2000 World Drivers' Champion, as Häkkinen could not overtake Schumacher's points total with one race remaining in the season.
The 2001 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 29 July 2001 at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was the 12th round of the 2001 Formula One World Championship and the 63rd German Grand Prix. Williams driver Ralf Schumacher won the 45-lap race starting from second. Rubens Barrichello finished second for Ferrari with BAR driver Jacques Villeneuve third scoring his last F1 podium finish.
The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 65th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. The original calendar for the 2011 Formula One World Championship consisted of twenty rounds, including the inaugural running of the Indian Grand Prix before the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pirelli returned to the sport as tyre supplier for all teams, taking over from Bridgestone, marking their return to Formula One for the first time since the 1991 season. Red Bull Racing was the reigning Constructors' Champion. Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel was the defending Drivers' Champion, one of five World Champions appearing on the grid. Vettel won his second World Championship at the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver, at 24 years and 98 days, to do so. Red Bull Racing won the Constructors' Championship.
Romain David Jeremie Grosjean is a French and Swiss professional racing driver, competing under the French flag in the NTT IndyCar Series, driving the No. 28 Honda for Andretti Autosport. Grosjean had previously spent nine full-time seasons in Formula One for a variety of teams, picking up 10 podiums, all with Lotus.
The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 66th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 63rd FIA Formula One World Championship, a motor racing series for Formula One cars, recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of motorsport – as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. The championship was contested over twenty rounds, which started in Australia on 18 March and ended in Brazil on 25 November. The 2012 season saw the return of the United States Grand Prix, which was held at the Circuit of the Americas, a purpose-built circuit in Austin, Texas. After being cancelled in 2011 due to civil protests, the Bahrain Grand Prix also returned to the calendar.
The 2012 German Grand Prix, formally the Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2012, was a Formula One motor race that took place on 22 July 2012 as the tenth round of the 2012 season. After being held at the Nürburgring in 2011, the race returned to the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, making the 2012 race the thirty-third time the circuit hosted the German Grand Prix, and the eighth time the shortened circuit hosted the race since its 2002 redesign.
The 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place at the Hungaroring circuit near Mogyoród, Hungary on 29 July 2012. It was the eleventh round of the 2012 season, and the 27th running of the Hungarian Grand Prix as a round of the World Championship.
The 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 25 March 2012 at the Sepang International Circuit in Selangor, Malaysia. It was the fourteenth running of the Malaysian Grand Prix as a round of the Formula One World Championship, and the thirty-second time the event has been held. The 56-lap race was the second round of the 2012 Formula One season and was won by Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso. Sergio Pérez of the Sauber team finished the race in second position, and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton completed the podium with third place after starting in pole position.
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The 2012 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan on 7 October 2012 at 15:00 local time. The race was the fifteenth round of the 2012 season, and marked the 38th running of the Japanese Grand Prix.
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The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place over 57 laps on 29 November 2020 on the 'Grand Prix Circuit' configuration at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The race was the fifteenth round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship. It was the sixteenth time that the Bahrain Grand Prix has been run as a round of the Formula One World Championship.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
