GPDA President Russell remains clear on swearing issue: 'We'll comment once action's taken'

21:29, 01 May

byKada Sarkozi

Earlier this week, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem released an Instagram post, reflecting on the federation's International Sporting Code, considering swearing. GPDA President George Russell now explained their viewpoint on the matter in Miami.

"Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA World Championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B," Ben Sulayem wrote last Monday.

"I mean, conceptually, yes [it's a positive step]," Russell began in the state of Florida.

"But obviously, we want to see these things put into action, rather than saying we're considering things. We all consider a lot of things. We're clear we want changes. And once they are implemented, then we'll comment on it. But for the time being, it's being considered. So it's just, the words don't mean anything until the change has been made."

Russell surprised by Ben Sulayem's post

The Briton then explained the GPDA themselves were not in contact with the FIA. "In short, yes [it was news to me]. Collectively, we've not spoken any further since that, the open letter that was was sent out. So whether that is the response, I'm not too sure."

The Briton then once again underlined they will reflect on concrete information as the GPDA. "As I said, it'll be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard. And I think it's just in the best interest for the sport and ensuring that some common sense is sort of applied to to these situations, but as I said, all of us we can comment on it when we see the action being taken rather than just the consideration."

'The GPDA wasn't about politics'

Asked why there is no formal relationship between the GPDA and the organisation, the Mercedes driver explained talking about these matters is not why it was created.

"I feel it's like unprecedented times we've been in the last 18 months with what's been changing, what's happening. When the GPDA was sort of founded years ago, it wasn't really to talk about politics. It was to talk about safety, it was to talk about improvements of the sport, improvements of the rate of racing."

He continued: "Especially myself, I find myself talking about topics that I didn't really have any intention of talking about, but we find ourselves in a time where we're not focused on the things why we're all here. We're here to go racing. We're here to create the best show for the fans, to have the fastest cars, the safest cars, the best technology, the best engineering, and yet we talk about fines and punishments and swearing."

Russell then concluded with underlining: "Maybe something should change. We're open to it, but we just ultimately want the best for the sport."