The GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) welcomes two new drivers to its ranks with Felipe Massa and Adrian Sutil. They were, however, quite skeptical about joining the organization.<\/p>\n
The GPDA tried to survive in 2008, as the three championship leaders, Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, and Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen were not members. Its president Pedro de la Rosa, in collaboration with directors Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber, worked hard throughout the winter to gain the trust of the skeptics.<\/p>\n
And the hard work pays off because just before the Australian GP, Hamilton decided to join the GPDA. Today, Massa and Sutil have also agreed to become members.<\/p>\n
Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen is now the only racing driver not to join the association.<\/p>\n
De la Rosa stated that he was happy that drivers like Hamilton and Massa are part of the GPDA. The organization has also reached an agreement with the FIA to reduce the cost of the super license.<\/p>\n
\u00ab It’s important to all gather around a common cause. It’s excellent news to welcome Lewis, Felipe, and Adrian, but also reserve drivers like Christian Klien or new drivers like S\u00e9bastien Buemi. It’s very reassuring, \u00bb confessed De la Rosa.<\/p>\n
De la Rosa added that he still hoped for an imminent arrival of R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen in his association.<\/p>\n
\u00ab We want to tell Kimi that he is always welcome. The GPDA is an important organization. Even if drivers fight each other on track, we must be able to work together to solve issues. I think the GPDA is stronger today than ever. \u00bb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) welcomes two new drivers to its ranks with Felipe Massa and Adrian Sutil. They were, however, quite skeptical about joining the organization. The GPDA tried to survive in 2008, as the three championship leaders, Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, and Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen were not members. Its president Pedro de la […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":42690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,1749],"tags":[445,1235],"class_list":["post-24730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","category-news","tag-gpda","tag-pilotes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n