The GPDA will elect its President at the Australian Grand Prix

The GPDA – the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – informed the media today in Bahrain of a delay in the election of the new President. The next President will therefore be elected in two weeks, in Australia, during the next race of the 2010 season.

In 2008, it was Pedro de la Rosa who was chosen to represent the drivers within the FIA. Having been hired as a main driver at BMW-Sauber, the Spaniard announced his decision to fully devote himself to his role as a driver. He will therefore leave the presidency of the GPDA in a few days. Last week, he asked the drivers to meet to vote for the election of a new representative. The election was supposed to take place last night, Friday, but ultimately did not happen.

The election has therefore been postponed to the next race in Australia. De La Rosa had indicated that an intra-drivers vote would be the best thing for the GPDA, while knowing how to balance work and the association: « Personally, I would like another driver to replace me in my position. I’ve been in this role for two years now, and it’s time to hold a vote to choose a new President. »

« We need someone with free time. I was very happy to take care of this position, and I think I did a good job, but now, someone else must replace me. I leave the choice to them, and I will agree with their vote. I don’t want to choose… »

The President of the GPDA has the power to forward his nomination by name. Here, De la Rosa prefers to give the choice to his track colleagues. Therefore, around thirty drivers are essentially candidates.