George Russell on the future of the GPDA after Sebastian Vettel’s retirement

Henry Valantine
Sebastian Vettel and George Russell Autosport awards. London December 2022

Sebastian Vettel and George Russell Autosport awards. London December 2022

George Russell has confirmed talks are taking place over how the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association will operate in future, after Sebastian Vettel retired from the sport.

Russell and Vettel serve as directors on the GPDA, which acts in the interests of drivers in Formula 1 with the FIA in a union-like capacity on matters like safety and driver wellbeing.

But with the four-time World Champion having retired from the sport at the end of last season, his departure has led to question marks about whether or not he will continue to represent the drivers on the GPDA platform, which he has done as a director since 2010.

GPDA chairman and former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz recently told PlanetF1.com that the organisation has given Vettel more time to consider whether or not he would like to stay on moving forward.

Russell confirmed this was the case, and that the remaining drivers on the grid would get the chance to have their say on the future of the GPDA ahead of the season starting in Bahrain in a fortnight’s time.

“There are definitely discussions in place of how we’re going to go about things since Sebastian’s retirement from Formula 1,” Russell told media including PlanetF1.com at the launch of the Mercedes W14.

“I think the conversation we’ll probably have with the rest of the drivers in Bahrain, but I’d like to think my workload wouldn’t really change with Alex Wurz, and Anastasia [Fowle, fellow GPDA director], those two are really, really on it, and a huge credit for all of us.

PlanetF1.com recommends

Mercedes worried three days of testing won’t be enough to identify underlying issues
Toto Wolff admits unique Mercedes sidepods may ‘change a little bit’ in early races
Toto Wolff explains Mercedes’ return to black livery for W14

“The effort they put in, obviously, you know, they do this for the love of the sport, and to be on our side and all of us really, really appreciate all their efforts.

“But it depends, I guess it depends how smoothly the season goes as well, if there’s more issues or less issues that totally changes the GPDA’s standpoint.”

Vettel has been seen racing since his retirement with his annual appearance at the Race of Champions in January, but he has spoken about his plans to take a back seat from competing as he looks to spend more time with his family in the coming years.