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Alex Wurz insists the dissenting letter written on behalf of the current F1 drivers is not a mere reaction to the qualifying format debacle. Through the Wurz-led Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), the drivers hit out at the sport's current governance last week hot on the heels of the farcical 'musical chairs' debut in Melbourne, its immediate scrapping and then controversial resurrection ahead of Bahrain.
When asked about the saga, former F1 driver and GPDA president Wurz told Spain's Marca newspaper: "The drivers have already expressed what they think about this qualifying. I think nothing is gained through that format. It should be improved because what we had before was better, but this (qualifying) is not to do with what was expressed in the letter," he insisted.
Some drivers have also expressed individually their frustration with the status quo in F1 and the fact their voices are not being heard by authorities. Wurz admitted that the letter was a push by the drivers to exert more influence. "You can compare it in some way to politics and the difference between those governing and the opposition," he said.
"We love the sport and want formula one to be fun. If we talk in terms of political opposition tactics, our only solution is to express our dissatisfaction with what is happening at this time," Wurz, 42, explained. "We just want to make sure that our feelings are known."
Wurz smiled, however, when told that the only way the drivers will really be taken seriously is if they threaten to boycott races. "Even the authorities agree that this sport needs a number of adjustments to find the right direction for the future," he said.
"It remains one of the sports with the biggest following and an incredible marketing platform, but everyone wants the whole structure to be improved. What can the drivers do? The worst thing would be to do nothing," added Wurz. (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
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Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
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United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (2)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
Another voice in how F1 is being run is not the answer. Let the FIA come up with a set of simple rules and then let anyone interested enter. This constant revising rules and trying to satisfy all the different factions is ruining what was a great sport.
Pompey
Posts: 84
Throw away the rules. Give each team a box. let them build a car with any engine, any chassis design, any tyre that fits within the dimensions of the box, then let them race. The only stipulation being they must pass a crash test. Technology being what it is today they could deliver some fantastic cars. Remember the old days when there was real variety on the grid.