George Russell has voiced the frustrations of drivers regarding the FIA’s recent actions (Image: Getty)
has revealed that F1 drivers are ‘fed up’ with the lack of change from the after a strong statement from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association after the was met with silence from the sport’s governing body.
The GPDA, which is currently chaired by Russell, complained about several topics in the statement. The drivers highlighted their frustration over the punishment received by for swearing in Singapore, and the clampdown on ’s jewellery, among other issues.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership also came in for criticism with the GPDA taking issue with the tone used by the FIA president when he told drivers to tone down their use of colourful language in an interview with .
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Instead of a positive response, the sport received some more concerning news as race director Niels Wittich’s departure was announced. Initial reporting suggested that he had left the role of his own accord, but it later emerged that he was dismissed by the FIA.
The organisation’s compliance officer, Paolo Basarri, also left his position ahead of what could be a championship-defining weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Speaking out on behalf of the grid, Russell said: “I’m not too sure if we feel we are being listened to and some of the changes we are requesting are implemented.
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Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been heavily criticised this season (Image: Getty)
“There are a number of drivers who feel fed up with the whole situation and only it seems to be going, to a degree, in the wrong direction.” He went on to add: “Getting things to change or promises upheld seems slightly more challenging.
“Maybe the FIA or the president did not recognise how seriously we all felt. Over the course of 20 races this year and even last year we spoke about a number of topics, all the drivers, we feel pretty similar.
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“We know what we want from the sport and the directions it has been heading and we feel we want a small U-turn on a number of topics and we want to work together with the FIA on this. We felt that has not been happening at all from the president.”
Russell’s comments will pile more pressure on Ben Sulayem as the 62-year-old attempts to hold the FIA together. While he is expected to serve a second term in charge, the Emirati official is rapidly losing the support of F1’s drivers and has seen his name dragged through the mud in recent months.