Formula 1

Sainz replaces F1 world champion Vettel as GPDA director

The four-time grand prix winner has joined George Russell as the only two active Formula 1 competitors in the management of the organisation representing driver interests

Alex Kalinauckas

Edited: Feb 23, 2025, 11:48 AM

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Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Getty Images

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has replaced Sebastian Vettel as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – joining George Russell as the only two active racers involved in managing the body.

Russell was the only active member of the Formula 1 drivers’ interests organisation since four-time world champion Vettel retired at the end of 2022, when he was racing for Aston Martin.

The GPDA has been led by ex-F1 driver and double Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz as chairman since 2014, with Russell joining in 2021 – after only two seasons competing in grand prix racing.

Along with Wurz, Russell and Sainz, the GPDA’s management is completed by their fellow director Anastasia Fowle, who handles the organisation’s legal interests.

“I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects," said Sainz.

"So, I'm very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the director's role in the GPDA.”

Sebastian Vettel

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

The GPDA was first formed back in 1961 with the aim of improving safety standards to protect drivers and motorsport event attendees in an era when racing risks were considerably higher.

It was reformed in 1994 after the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at that year’s Imola race and has been active ever since.

In recent years it has been involved in a number of non-racing matters – such as the near drivers’ strike following the missile attack at the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Last year, the GPDA also called for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to treat drivers like adults amid the governing body’s ongoing clampdown on driver expression.

List of GPDA directors

Driver Year(s) as director Michael Schumacher 1996-05 Gerhard Berger 1996 Martin Brundle 1996 Damon Hill 1996-98 David Coulthard 1996-06 Alexander Wurz 1998-01; 2014 - present Jarno Trulli 2001-06 Mark Webber 2003-10 Ralf Schumacher 2006-07 Fernando Alonso 2006-10 Pedro de la Rosa 2008-10; 2012-14 Nick Heidfeld 2010 Felipe Massa 2010-13 Sebastian Vettel 2010-25 Rubens Barrichello 2010-11 Jenson Button 2013-17 Romain Grosjean 2017-20 George Russell 2021 - present Anastasia Fowle 2021 - present Carlos Sainz 2025 - present

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