George Russell is not just a talent behind the wheel of his Mercedes. Since 2021, he has also held a key position within the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), an organization that represents Formula 1 drivers.
But he didn’t expect this role to become so… political. Between disputes with the FIA and tensions over safety, let’s dive into the challenges George Russell faces off the track.
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A responsibility inherited from his predecessors
The role of director within the GPDA wasn’t part of Russell’s initial plans. However, he took over in 2021 after Romain Grosjean’s departure from F1. When Sebastian Vettel retired at the end of 2022, Russell found himself the only active driver in the leadership, supported by Alexander Wurz, a former F1 driver, and Anastasia Fowle, a legal expert. While he took on this role to improve safety and sporting conditions, he quickly discovered the position was fraught with political considerations. One key moment of his tenure was the near-strike of the drivers after the missile attack near the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2022. It was a turning point for Russell, who had to balance the drivers’ concerns with the diplomacy needed with the organizers and sports authorities.
Growing tensions with the FIA
Under Russell’s leadership, the GPDA didn’t hesitate to challenge the FIA and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. An open letter published at the end of 2023 called on the organization to treat drivers as “adults,” after the president imposed restrictions on topics like swearing in public. What seemed like a trivial issue was actually part of a larger effort to prevent tensions between fans and officials, often fueled by impulsive comments. What surprised Russell was the complete lack of an official response to this letter. Instead, Ben Sulayem publicly stated that FIA management was a matter that didn’t concern the drivers. A statement that only widened the gap between the two sides. This friction reached its peak with a vote by the FIA’s general assembly, granting more direct power to the president. For Russell, these political battles seemed far removed from his original objectives.
Uniting the drivers as the key to moving forward
Despite the complications, George Russell sees an opportunity in these challenges: uniting the drivers around common causes. His message is clear: what the drivers want is the best for F1. More transparency, more dialogue, and above all, close collaboration with the FIA. While he remains cautious on some issues, such as the recent changes to the FIA’s compliance system, he emphasizes one point: drivers don’t want to oppose the governing bodies but rather work alongside them to strengthen the sport. With this approach, Russell hopes to turn political struggles into an opportunity to move Formula 1 forward, while preserving its competitive and sporting essence.
This article explores George Russell’s responsibilities as GPDA director and the political challenges he faces. From driver safety to his tensions with the FIA, the Briton shows that his role goes far beyond the track, uniting drivers around a shared vision for F1’s future.
Images: Mercedes Archives – © Steve Etherington
