Carlos Sainz has been elected as the new director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, voted by his F1 fellow drivers.
Sainz joins GPDA chairman Alex Wurz, Mercedes driver George Russel, and legal advisor Anastasia Fowle on the board. The 30-year-old takes over after Sebastian Vettel stepped down as the GPDA director last year who also retired from the F1 at the end of 2022.
In a post by the GPDA on Instagram announcing the appointment, Carlos Sainz said: “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. So, I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the director’s role in the GPDA.”
Founded in 1961, GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) represents the interests of Formula 1 drivers providing a common voice to the governing bodies on a variety of issues. Sainz’s role will be to oversee and guide the strategic direction of the association.
The four-time Formula One world champion has always been a leading voice for drivers, calling out the FIA on its newly imposed regulations regarding swearing, calling them “too much “and warning that limiting emotional outbursts inside the car could negatively impact Formula One.
Sainz has expressed his disapproval of swearing at press conferences and does side with the FIA if a driver is punished. Last year Max Verstappen received community service after swearing during a pre-race press conference in Singapore. Sainz believes drivers are mature enough to control themselves during press conferences and it’s just a matter of manners. Adding “I don’t think we should be swearing in those situations. I think we are old enough and sane enough to know what to say and what not to say. For me, that’s just a matter of education and manners.”
Coming into his new position Carlos Sainz recently joined Williams as their new driver on a two-year contract with an option to extend his contract beyond 2026 having spent four years at Ferrari.
