01/05/2025 21:15
Lewis Hamilton has demanded for Formula 1 drivers to have a "power
seat" at the FIA table, to improve relations and communication with
the FIA. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, announced
earlier this week that he would consider making changes to Appendix
B of the International Sporting Code, in relation to the
controversial swearing rules. Communication has been a weak point
between the GDPA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) and the FIA for
much of Ben Sulayem's tenure as its president, something F1's stars
want to change. In recent times, the GDPA has resorted to sending
motorsport's governing body open letters in order to communicate,
rather than in-person meetings. Hamilton is eager for things to
change and for a better working relationship to be developed,
involving inclusion in FIA meetings. "I think, ultimately, the
GDPA is very unified," insisted Hamilton, speaking to select media
including RacingNews365 . "Ultimately, we want to be able to work
closely with the FIA. "I think everyone, all of us, want to make
the sport continue to work together and make the sport better.
"And of course, we've faced a bit of an uphill challenge in that
communication over time. Ultimately, we don't hold a power seat at
the [FIA] table, and that needs to change, in my opinion. "If you
look at other sports that have unions, that may be something that
comes into play at some stage, but it's just we, as I said, we
don't want to control things. We just want to collaborate with them
more and and have our voices heard. "Ultimately, the people making
decisions for others that have never been in that position. It's
good to have a point of view from the driver's perspective, and
that's all we try to give."
