Carlos Sainz appointed new director of GPDA, replacing Vettel
In a move that underscores the ever-evolving dynamics of Formula 1, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has been named a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), replacing the retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
The appointment, confirmed on Monday (AEDT), comes as Sainz gears up for the 2025 season with his new team, Williams, after a high-profile stint with Ferrari.
Sainz, who boasts a decade of F1 experience and four Grand Prix wins, expressed his enthusiasm for the role.
“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,” he said in a statement shared on the GPDA’s Instagram.
“So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the directors’ role in the GPDA.”
His appointment adds a new layer of leadership to an organisation that has been at the forefront of driver safety and advocacy since the 1960s.
Originally instrumental in championing innovations like the Halo device, the GPDA now finds itself in the midst of debates over driver conduct.
Recent efforts by the FIA to clamp down on swearing during press conferences have sparked heated discussions, with Sainz himself calling for a balance between professionalism and reasonable freedom of speech.
At a recent Williams FW47 launch event, he remarked on the importance of maintaining decorum, especially with young fans watching, while questioning whether fines or harsher penalties are the right approach.
This leadership change not only marks the passing of a torch from Vettel — a stalwart who bowed out at the end of 2022 — but also highlights the GPDA’s continuous evolution as it navigates both safety advancements and the modern pressures of F1’s regulatory landscape.
With Sainz’s dual roles as a top-tier competitor and now a key driver representative, the GPDA is poised to further amplify the collective voice of the paddock, advocating for both innovation on the track and a progressive approach off it.
In the meantime, the 30-year-old will be occupied with pre-season testing in Bahrain this week as the F1 community prepares for the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
While Sainz won the race in Melbourne last year, online bookmakers have him at long odds of $176 to defend his title in what will be his first race start for Williams.
