Russell: “Words don’t mean anything” to the GPDA without action

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), founded in 1961, represents the interests of F1 drivers. Alongside F1 colleague Carlos Sainz and legal advisor Anastasia Fowle, George Russell currently serves as one of the GPDA Directors.

During media day at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, Russell addressed questions about the GPDA’s communication with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In response to Sulayem’s reaction to the drivers’ recent criticism, Russell delivered a pointed remark: “… words don’t mean anything until the change has been made.”

He emphasised the drivers’ unified call for reform. However, he made it clear that promises alone were not enough. Russell said he would only feel reassured once Ben Sulayem backed his words with concrete action.

“Yeah. Conceptually, yes. But obviously we want to see these things put into action rather than saying “we’re considering things” – you know, we all consider a lot of things. We’re clear we want changes and once they are implemented then we’ll comment. But for the time being, it’s being considered. So those words don’t mean anything until the change has been made.”

It’s all “about fines and punishment and swearing”

Russell reflected candidly on the shifting role of the GPDA during media duties ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami Grand Prix. When asked about the current relationship between the GPDA and the FIA, Russell noted a growing disconnect between the organisation’s original purpose and the issues it now frequently addresses.

“I feel it’s like unprecedented times we’ve been in over the last 18 months with what’s been changed and what’s happening. I think when the GPDA was founded years ago, it wasn’t really to talk about politics – it was to talk about safety, improvements of the sport, improvements of the racing.”

Rather than concentrating on performance, safety, and fan engagement, Russell observed that much of the current dialogue has drifted.

“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.”

However, the GPDA did remain open to such discussions, highlighting that the organisation wanted “the best for the sport.”

“So yeah, maybe something should change. We’re open to it, but we just ultimately want the best for the sport.”

GPDA and FIA did “not [speak] any further” after the open letter

When asked about any follow-up communication with the FIA after the GPDA’s open letter, George Russell confirmed that there had been no collective discussion between the parties. He also admitted uncertainty over whether Ben Sulayem’s Instagram post was a response to the open letter from the GPDA.

“I mean, in short, yes,” he replied when asked if he had been surprised to see the letter on social media, “I mean, collectively we’ve not spoken any further since the open letter that was sent out. So whether that is the response – I’m not too sure.”

However, the Mercedes F1 driver emphasised the importance of action over rhetoric, stating that the GPDA wanted to see visiable progress before they would provide any meaningful feedback.

“As I said, it’ll be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard. I think it’s just in the best interest for the sport and ensuring that some common sense is applied to these situations. As I said, I think all of us, we can comment on it when we see the action being taken rather than just the consideration.”