Hamilton and the GPDA, the impossible understanding!

Lewis Hamilton admitted to remaining indifferent to calls from high-profile figures to join the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA).

Jarno Trulli raised his voice about drivers who are not members of the GPDA, stating that it was scandalous that they do not feel concerned about improving safety in Formula 1.

The former world champion, Fernando Alonso, also indicated on the sidelines of the Turkish Grand Prix that he was baffled by the absence of certain drivers within the association.

But despite these calls and the fact that Hamilton has to pay a 19,000 euro registration fee as a compromise, the McLaren driver wonders why he should finance the GPDA with the aim of improving safety.

We have talked about it many times, but they approached me and asked if I wanted to support them. But in all honesty, it’s like asking you (the media) to pay our driver’s salary, or something like that, he stated to journalists about his situation concerning the GPDA.

« I don’t understand why I should pay something in addition to my license that allows me to participate in races. »

When asked if he was financially contributing to the GPDA, Hamilton added: « For the moment, it’s no. »

The president of the GPDA, Mark Webber, specified that the association remains interested in having Hamilton become one of its members.

« Someone like Kimi Räikkönen, we know he is not interested and that’s perfectly fine. Some guys in the past were not interested, but they paid in return because they know that every lap in a race or during tests, the GPDA saves people. »