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Feb 14
Pedro de la Rosa looks set to continue his role at the head of the F1 drivers’ union, despite dropping off the actual racing grid for 2013.
The veteran Spaniard, however, will still be at the grands prix in his new role as Ferrari’s development test driver, and so according to El Mundo Deportivo newspaper he will likely remain president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA).
Sep 22
F1 drivers have in the past asked the governing body to reduce the length of the Singapore grand prix.
Hot, humid and under artificial lights on a demanding street circuit, the event is regarded as perhaps the toughest physically on the entire 20-race F1 calendar. Spanish veteran Pedro de la Rosa confirmed that description, even though this weekend is actually the HRT driver’s very first competitive taste of the Marina Bay layout.
Jun 06
“I want to be absolutely convinced that safety there (in Bahrain) is guaranteed.” – Rubens Barrichello
The FIA has signalled the green light but grey clouds of uncertainty continue to hang over the 2011 Bahrain grand prix. After the World Motor Sport Council controversially agreed to reschedule the troubled island Kingdom’s race for late October, protest groups are now calling for a ‘Day of Rage’ to coincide with the event that in March was called off due to violence.
May 20
FIA bans DRS for Monaco tunnel and Eau Rouge
Four races will pass before the FIA clamps down on the aggressive blowing of off-throttle exhaust gases. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the reprieve has been extended to include Spain this weekend as well as Monaco, Canada and Valencia.
May 11
Charlie Whiting ruled out a regulation change
Rubens Barrichello has scolded the FIA for refusing to ban the adjustable rear wing overtaking system DRS for the Monaco grand prix later in May. Some teams and drivers, including Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chairman Barrichello, pushed for the ban on safety grounds for the uniquely narrow and twisty street layout.
Apr 09
“There has not been only one death, we have to improve that corner.” – Massa
GPDA president Rubens Barrichello has backed efforts for a change to the Curva do Cafe corner at Brazilian grand prix venue Interlagos. A stock car driver died after bouncing off the barriers onto the racing line there in 2007, and at Sepang Felipe Massa is wearing a sticker on his helmet to pay tribute to Gustavo Sondermann, after his Brazilian countryman died in a near-identical crash last Sunday.
Apr 04
Sebastian Vettel has repeated his threat to front a formula one driver strike.
Before Melbourne, the world champion had raised his fears that the return of KERS and the new adjustable rear wings had increased the workload of the drivers to a new level of danger. A director of the F1 drivers’ union GPDA, the 23-year-old has now repeated his threat that – as a last resort – the drivers could refuse to race.
Mar 25
Kamui Kobayashi’s manager is confident the Japanese grand prix will take place as scheduled later this year.
With much of the country in turmoil due to the recent and unfolding earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, it is feared that October’s Suzuka race might be in doubt even though the immediate area is not overly affected.
Mar 23
“So nothing has changed; the complexity of driving in our time was also at least as great”
The current formula one drivers’ cockpit workload is no higher than in the past, according to former ten-time grand prix winner Gerhard Berger. Many drivers, including GPDA director Sebastian Vettel who has threatened a strike, have expressed concerns about having to use KERS at the same time as adjusting the new moveable rear wing on track in 2011.
Mar 21
Heidfeld also worried about ‘piano’ steering wheels
Nick Heidfeld is refusing to rule out the possibility of racing to his first grand prix victory in 2011. After initially facing the prospect of a season on the sidelines, the formula one veteran is now at the wheel of the innovative R31 that originally was to be driven by injured regular Robert Kubica.
Mar 11
“Most drivers agree that we have to improve the grip” – Felipe Massa
Proposed amendments to the new adjustable rear wing rules were not adopted during a meeting this week in Barcelona. Finland’s Turun Sanomat said the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association expressed great concern during the meeting with technical bosses and team chiefs.
Jul 05
“From the viewpoint of safety, I think it’s a wrong decision.”
Timo Glock has joined a group of F1 drivers who think the ‘proximity’ wing idea is a bad one. FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh has admitted that the proposal, with chasing drivers able to press a button and boost straightline speed next season, might not see the light of day.
In an interview with El Mundo newspaper, Ferrari’s Spanish test driver was asked about the controversial incidents sparked by the safety car period in Valencia two weeks ago. 
