George Russell shares there's been radio silence from the FIA after GPDA's first official statement

Mercedes driver George Russell revealed that he and the other drivers had not heard from the FIA after the GPDA's first official statement. Russell, also the president of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, wrote a letter to the governing body regarding their recent decisions and stances on topics like swearing.

In the letter that was shared on their official Instagram account, the GPDA asked for transparency in the decisions while also pointing fingers at FIA President Muhammed Ben Sulayem and his regime.

However, in the pre-race press conference ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, George Russell updated that he had not heard from the FIA regarding the letter, saying:

"No. Not at the moment, which I'm a little bit surprised about, to be fair. But maybe there'll be something to come. Who knows?"

When asked about going public with the letter and making an official account on social media of the GPDA, the 26-year-old gave the reason behind the decision:

"Yeah, well, I think times are changing and the fans are a huge part of this sport. And I think if we're talking about openness and transparency and including everybody in this for the greater good, then having it on a social media platform makes perfect sense."

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George Russell gives his take on the GPDA's pointed statement on FIA President

Mercedes driver George Russell stated that he felt drivers needed to "stand united" after he believed that he did not agree with certain things involving the FIA and Muhammed Ben Sulayem in the 2024 season.

Speaking to the media, George Russell said:

"I mean, talking as a fellow driver as opposed to sort of my role with the GPDA, I think everybody felt with certain things that have happened over the course of this year that we wanted to sort of stand united. At the end of the day, we just want to be transparent with the FIA and have this dialogue that is happening, and I think the departure of Niels is also a prime example of not being a part of these conversations."

"And ultimately, we only want to work with the FIA to make the best for the sport that we all love. So, I think it's kind of us now putting the pressure back on them to work with us and work with everyone, including F1 as well, just to maximise this opportunity."

The FIA President recently caught the ire of Lewis Hamilton after he claimed that F1 drivers should not be rappers while commenting on the Max Verstappen swearing row.