Sainz replaces retired Vettel as director at Grand Prix Drivers’ Association

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, which represents Formula 1 drivers to the FIA and FOM, has selected a new director to replace Sebastian Vettel.

The four-times world champion retired from F1 at the end of 2022. The GPDA has now chosen Carlos Sainz Jnr, the same driver who replaced Vettel at Ferrari in 2021, as one of its directors.

The 30-year-old, who is the fourth-oldest driver in F1 today, will work alongside fellow director George Russell, who has been in his position since 2021.

“I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects,” said Sainz in a statement. “So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the director’s role in the GPDA.”

The GPDA is also staffed by lawyer Anastasia Fowle and its chair, former driver Alexander Wurz. He said Sainz “has been an active and engaged member of the GPDA for several years and we sincerely appreciate his commitment in stepping up to this vital role.”

The drivers’ association has been at odds with the FIA lately over the governing body’s attempts to censure them for swearing. In November last year it issued a statement which criticised FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, pointing out it has “on countless occasions, expressed its view that driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our sport.”

However the FIA shows no signs of revising its position. Last month it issued new guidelines defining an escalating series of fines for drivers in all categories who commit acts of “misconduct” such as swearing, and even threatening them with race bans and points deductions for repeated offences.

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Ben Sulayem insists he has a constructive relationship with F1 drivers, saying recently he treats them “like my sons and daughters” and is “the most accessible president ever.”

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