Neither the GPDA nor Stewart will put pressure on Hamilton

The GPDA has stated that it does not wish to put pressure on Lewis Hamilton to have him join the association alongside Jackie Stewart.

Lewis Hamilton, one of the four drivers, admitted last week that he neither has the desire nor the time to join the GPDA – Grand Prix Drivers Association – in the short term. He will thus remain one of the four F1 drivers not joining the association this year.

The British driver has disappointed more than one driver at times, such as de La Rosa, his new chairman, but the GPDA association and Jackie Stewart (who initiated the project) nevertheless do not want to put pressure on the young 2007 vice-world champion.

« I am surprised and disappointed that Lewis [Hamilton] is not joining us in the GPDA. This association has done tremendous things for Formula 1 in particular, and it’s a shame that he doesn’t want to get involved… » Explains Jackie Stewart, former F1 driver.

Stewart also indicated that an F1 driver can help improve things, even without joining the association. He believes that the Briton needs more time.

De la Rosa delivers a similar speech. He admits to keeping an eye on the four non-GPDA members but without putting pressure on them: « As President of the GPDA, I am concerned in many ways about Lewis Hamilton and the three other drivers not wanting to join our association: Kimi Räikkönen, Anthony Davidson, and Adrian Sutil. »

« However, if they do not want to become members right away, we give them time. We still hope to see them in the association soon. »

The GPDA traditionally meets every Grand Prix Friday to share with the FIA, among other things, new measures useful for improving safety, for instance. Although these meetings are very important for advancing programs, non-member drivers can also communicate with the international automobile federation one-on-one.