The FIA has yet to address a letter from the Formula 1 drivers’ union, according to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The FIA has yet to address a letter from the Formula 1 drivers’ union, according to Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc.
Earlier this month, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) released a strongly-worded statement directed at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Among their concerns were his recent enforcement of strict rules on driver behaviour, including swearing, jewellery, and undergarments.
“Our members are adults,” the GPDA stated, adding that the drivers “do not need to be given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.”
The letter also raised questions about the transparency of how fines collected from drivers are allocated, urging the FIA to explain “where the funds are spent.”
Two weeks on, Leclerc confirmed to La Repubblica that the drivers are still waiting for a response. “We are reasonable enough people to understand when we break the rules,” said the Monegasque. “On the track, it is important to have a judge who evaluates the situations impartially.”
Leclerc also reiterated the drivers’ desire for greater clarity regarding fines. “We are not asking for everything, just a bit of common sense and a bit more transparency about the destination of the money collected from the fines. Until now, we have had no answer,” he revealed.
Another issue raising eyebrows is the recent dismissal of F1 race director Niels Wittich, with GPDA director George Russell saying the drivers were caught off guard.
“It was a big surprise for all of us,” Russell said in Las Vegas. “There is now a lot of pressure on the new race director with only three races left. But as drivers, we always get the impression that we are the last to hear these things. It affects us directly, so it would be nice if we were kept informed.”
