George Russell has claimed that the current crop of Formula 1 drivers are “more united than ever” amid a period of contention with the FIA.
The Briton, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) since 2021, has been at the forefront of a war of words between drivers and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The tension between the two parties arose last Autumn when Max Verstappen was penalised for swearing at a press conference in Singapore, landing him community service.
Charles Leclerc would also land in hot water over a similar infringement at the Mexico City Grand Prix, though the Ferrari driver received a fine for his misdemeanour.
The punishments came as part of a rewording of its International Sporting Code, which clamps down firmly on drivers’ using swear words, with Ben Sulayem claiming that drivers should not be speaking like “rappers”.
With Verstappen holding his own press events and giving one-word answers at subsequent official ones, and with Hamilton speculating racial undertones in Ben Sulayem’s comments, the GPDA subsequently issued a statement in which it urged the Emirati to “consider his own tone and language“.
With Carlos Sainz being named alongside him as a director of the GPDA, Russell expressed that the appointment of the Spaniard was an intelligent move by all involved.
“It’s great to have Carlos as part of the GPDA,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“Obviously, [he is] a great driver, a really smart, wise individual – and has been around for a long time.
“And of course, in the past, there was always more than one driver director, but since Sebastian [Vettel retired], it’s just been myself for the last couple of years.
“So I’m happy that the other questions can be shared out a little bit more evenly between me and another driver.
“But I think, for all of us as 20, we’re probably more united than ever, especially with everything that’s going on off track.
“And to have Carlos as one of the senior voices as well, I think is a great addition.”
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