It has been reported that Felipe Massa has decided to leave the GPDA because he is not happy about the way in which it is run.  This follows recent criticism by Jarno Trulli of drivers who choose not to join the organisation, which has played a key role in pushing for better safety for the drivers. 

I find this a bit strange, especially after Heikki's terrible accident.  If it weren't for the GPDA's efforts over the years, who knows if he would have been able to walk away virtually unscathed?  Surely it is in all the drivers' interests to play a role in this organisation as any one of them could benefit from its achievements?  Any opinions?   

Because it last for 15 minutes, drivers have to fork out money for every point they gain....besides, most of the data that comes to make the sport safer comes from the team!

 

GPDA sounds like a social meeting and a thing to show face, you know, look at me I am attending these meetings!

So you might just as well say that it was a waste of time forming the organisation in the first place?

champalonso:

So you might just as well say that it was a waste of time forming the organisation in the first place?

Nope, but I dont think anyone should be forced to attended, made to feel bad to attend or looked on like an outcast if dont attend. But if you want to attend, attend. Massa is one of the true good guys in F1, his gets on no ones nerves and is concerned about the safer....a meeting every so often wont affect that, whether he attends or not!

I give up - why do you insist on turning every thread into a kind of victimisation?  I was not criticising Massa - I like the bloke - I was just curious as to what made him make such a decision.

champalonso:

I give up - why do you insist on turning every thread into a kind of victimisation?  I was not criticising Massa - I like the bloke - I was just curious as to what made him make such a decision.

Must be my grammar, sorry but I know you wasnt having a dig a Massa, you was asking a genuine question, out of all the posters on the other side I know you are one of the few good ones or want to move on from last year atleast!

champalonso:

It has been reported that Felipe Massa has decided to leave the GPDA because he is not happy about the way in which it is run.  This follows recent criticism by Jarno Trulli of drivers who choose not to join the organisation, which has played a key role in pushing for better safety for the drivers. 

I find this a bit strange, especially after Heikki's terrible accident.  If it weren't for the GPDA's efforts over the years, who knows if he would have been able to walk away virtually unscathed?  Surely it is in all the drivers' interests to play a role in this organisation as any one of them could benefit from its achievements?  Any opinions?   

 

It's notoriously difficult to find information about how the GPDA functions, it's quite a "closed door" Association, with just general information released to the press, One thing I do find odd is that the current chairman was voted in unanimously, which of course means that Massa also voted for him, seems a little strange to then say he's unhappy about the way it's run, surely the best way to change that would be from within the GPDA ?.

I also though believe that drivers shouldn't be under any kind of pressure to join, and at the end of the day, who are we to criticise any of them, when we know very little about what they're being pressured to join ?.

The value of the GPDA is one issue; but Felipe choosing to leave it is another. One wonders what's happened to bring him to the decision. There doesn't appear to be any comments from others about the way it's being run; although there was some debate on my forum recently about drivers who aren't members - Kimi in particular. 

 At the end of the day, those that aren't in the GPDA won't have a say, and the decisions made by the GPDA do directly affect their safety.  It's very well not being in the GPDA when there's no issue - and another when theres the occasional safety concern (such as concern about painted areas of tarmac etc etc that we've had in the past). Then those that aren't in the GPDA won't be able to have their opinion included in the general view.

I don't think its necessary for every driver to be in the GPDA, but I think there should be at least ONE from each team, so personally I'm disappointed that both Ferrari drivers are now not included, particularly when Schumacher was so supportive and instrumental within the GPDA in the past.
 

carla lucioni:

The value of the GPDA is one issue; but Felipe choosing to leave it is another. One wonders what's happened to bring him to the decision. There doesn't appear to be any comments from others about the way it's being run; although there was some debate on my forum recently about drivers who aren't members - Kimi in particular. 

 At the end of the day, those that aren't in the GPDA won't have a say, and the decisions made by the GPDA do directly affect their safety.  It's very well not being in the GPDA when there's no issue - and another when theres the occasional safety concern (such as concern about painted areas of tarmac etc etc that we've had in the past). Then those that aren't in the GPDA won't be able to have their opinion included in the general view.

I don't think its necessary for every driver to be in the GPDA, but I think there should be at least ONE from each team, so personally I'm disappointed that both Ferrari drivers are now not included, particularly when Schumacher was so supportive and instrumental within the GPDA in the past.
 

You sound like an official sounding person I must say, however, the GPDA is like an Alonso, Webber and DC ego trip, from what I can pick up, Massa most probably left because he is a good guy that cant stomach anymore and see's no point in their ego trip meetings!

carla lucioni:

The value of the GPDA is one issue; but Felipe choosing to leave it is another. One wonders what's happened to bring him to the decision. There doesn't appear to be any comments from others about the way it's being run; although there was some debate on my forum recently about drivers who aren't members - Kimi in particular. 

 At the end of the day, those that aren't in the GPDA won't have a say, and the decisions made by the GPDA do directly affect their safety.  It's very well not being in the GPDA when there's no issue - and another when theres the occasional safety concern (such as concern about painted areas of tarmac etc etc that we've had in the past). Then those that aren't in the GPDA won't be able to have their opinion included in the general view.

I don't think its necessary for every driver to be in the GPDA, but I think there should be at least ONE from each team, so personally I'm disappointed that both Ferrari drivers are now not included, particularly when Schumacher was so supportive and instrumental within the GPDA in the past.
 

You sound like an official sounding person I must say, however, the GPDA is like an Alonso, Webber and DC ego trip, from what I can pick up, Massa most probably left because he is a good guy that cant stomach anymore and see's no point in their ego trip meetings!

Two things to consider, the GPDA actually has no power, and is frequently rebuffed by Mosely, also, these are personalities that are in direct and absolute competition with each other, as I've said, we know to little about what goes on to make a really informed guess at peoples motives for joining/leaving.

Hmm.

 I'm very interested to know how you know this! Have you been in the meetings? 

carla lucioni:

Hmm.

 I'm very interested to know how you know this! Have you been in the meetings? 

 

Is that comment addressed to me ?