Senior F1 bosses have reacted to Lewis Hamilton’s recent demand for a “seat at the table” during negotiations with the FIA.
“I think a good example was that drivers, they were part of the discussion on the modification of the engine in the last few weeks, it went well,” observed Vasseur.
“For sure, they have a different point of view, and it’s not always easy to find a compromise. But they are part of the discussion, and they will be part of the discussion, as we are also listening to them, discussing with them and bringing their feedback to the FIA when we are discussing the regulations.
“They are not excluded at all from the system.”
As for Vowles, he touched upon his driver, Carlos Sainz, a GPDA director, liaising with the FIA’s single-seater technical chief, Nikolas Tombazis.
“I know Carlos was, for example, consulted. Nicolas [Tombazis] did a good job by bringing him on board, asking the questions before we went through this regulation change to make sure he and others were part of that process,” said Vowles.
“I think the facts are behind it. We’re probably already too many around the table to discuss because you just end up going in circles. Adding five more of us isn’t going to help.
“But what is taking place in the background now, for example, there’s a form making sure the drivers can fill in their views on certain aspects of things.
“I think having a representative, either pre-meeting with the FIA or in the meeting, is probably somewhat sensible. We just need to make sure that we’re not driving towards the direction of one PU manufacturer and using bias, that we really do hear the opinion of what’s required from the drivers.”
