Russell never imagined GPDA F1 role would become “so political”

george russell “I never expected to have so much on my hands and for it to be so political,” he said in his Formula 1 role as director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

Russell’s third in F1 since the start of the 2021 season, mercedes The driver has been a director of the drivers’ body, as he replaced romain grosjean Following the Frenchman’s exit from Haas and the championship.

When? sebastian vettel Retiring at the end of the following year, Russell remained as the GPDA’s only actively racing member.

He works alongside chairman and former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, as well as fellow director and legal representative Anastasia Faul.

During his time representing the GPDA, Russell’s tenure came close to a drivers’ strike following the missile attack at the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and ongoing tensions between racers and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The GPDA issued a letter in November urging the FIA ​​to treat its members as “adults”. Ben Sulayem had sparked controversy with his stance on cracking down on driver abuse.

This comes amid widespread pressure from within the governing body to prevent drivers accidentally inciting abuse from officials, whose comments are often immediately picked up on by partisan fans.

Russell then said he was shocked to receive no response to the letter, Ben Sulayem later told Drivers via another media interview It was “none of his business” how he runs motorsport,

Russell was asked to give his latest views on the overall matter – including the development that the FIA ​​planned to hand over compliance matters directly to Ben Sulayem and its Senate chairman. Which was followed by voting at this month’s FIA General Assembly – during the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

“When I signed up for my role as GPDA (director), I never imagined I would have so much on my hands and that it would be so political,” Russell told selected media, including Motorsport.com.

“I don’t really have any understanding of this side of the game. And it was more from a sporting standpoint and a safety standpoint that I wanted to get my hands dirty.

“Whereas, now, it seems like we are only talking about the politics of the game.

“I don’t want to comment too much on it (the change in the FIA’s compliance system) because I am not educated enough to make those assumptions.

“But I think what has been raised is that all the drives are united, we just want the best for the game. We want transparency. And we want to help the FIA ​​and it’s as simple as that.”