Grand Prix Drivers' Association

Grand Prix Drivers' Association

Abbreviation	GPDA
Formation	formed: 11 May 1961 disbanded: 1982 reformed: (13) May 1994
Headquarters	Monaco
Region served	International
Chairman Directors	Alexander Wurz Jenson Button Sebastian Vettel

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), is the trade union of Formula One drivers.

History

The GPDA was founded in 1961 and was active during the 1960s and 1970s. Then, as now, the GPDA's primary objective was to improve and maintain safety standards. This led to boycotts of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 1969 and the Nürburgring in 1970 and after 1976.

On the GPDA's formation in May 1961, Stirling Moss was elected chairman. Its initial aims were to obtain representation on the Commission Sportive Internationale de la FIA (CSI), 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 during the 1982 Formula One season due to the effects of the changing commercial organisation of F1 and the conflicts between FOCA and FIA. It was replaced by the Professional Racing Drivers Association.^[2]

The GPDA was reformed over the weekend of the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix by Niki Lauda and Gerhard Berger, following the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, as well as the serious accident of Rubens Barrichello, at the San Marino Grand Prix two weeks earlier (the drivers had proposed its reformation in the drivers' briefing on the morning of the race in San Marino, with Senna being appointed one of its directors just hours before his death). Michael Schumacher was appointed Chairman in 1994, and remained chairman up until 2005.

In 1996, the association was incorporated in the UK as a company limited by guarantee as Grand Prix Drivers Association Ltd.^[3] For the first time, the association had a formal constitution, and permanent offices in Monaco.^[4]

Membership and leadership

Membership of GPDA is not compulsory. Of the 22 drivers who competed in the 2013 Formula One season, 19 were members, with Kimi Räikkönen, Adrian Sutil and Valtteri Bottas the exceptions.^[5] Joining the GPDA costs £2,000.^[6]

In 2010 a major shuffle took place in the GPDA following the return of Michael Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa stepping down as president because he was back racing with Sauber. Nick Heidfeld was voted as the replacement of Pedro de la Rosa for 2010. Also Michael Schumacher announced that he did not intend to join the GPDA on his return but changed his mind by becoming a silent member. He was convinced to do this by having negotiations with the GPDA directors, mainly Felipe Massa.^[7]

The members vote to decide their leaders. Currently there are three directors of the GPDA, one of whom is the chairman. Alexander Wurz is the current chairman.

Chairman	Years as chairman
Stirling Moss	1961–1963
Jo Bonnier	1963–1971
Jackie Stewart	1972–1978
Jody Scheckter	1979–1980
Didier Pironi	1980–1982
GPDA disbanded	1982–1994
Ayrton Senna	1994 (1 Day)
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–

Current issues

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 Motorsport Council. Significantly, though the majority of drivers signed the statement, Michael Schumacher did not. He claimed that he was not asked to, but would not have done so anyway. 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:

“We were also concerned to learn that during the course of [a telephone conversation with Coulthard], you suggested the FIA might withdraw support for the ongoing safety initiatives of the GPDA... The GPDA believes that safety issues are of the highest importance and are disappointed not to receive the full support of the FIA president in this matter".^[8]

Following a series of tyre blowouts in the 2013 British Grand Prix, safety of the tyres became a big issue, with the GPDA threatening to boycott the consequent German Grand Prix if no action was to taken regarding the safety of the tyres. "If similar problems manifest themselves at the German GP, we shall immediately withdraw." said a statement.^[9]

See also

• Jackie Stewart
• Sid Watkins
• Road safety

References

External links

• Hamilton stance on union 'wrong' BBC 18 March 2008