Sebastian Vettel may proceed on as a director of the GPDA with drivers ready till the brand new season to present the German the possibility to mull it over.
The four-time World Champion, who retired from Components 1 on the finish of the 2022 season, has served as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation (GPDA) since 2010, turning into a preferred member inside the paddock.
Regardless of his retirement, which got here after 299 races, Vettel’s departure from the GPDA is just not a certainty as even these at present with out a seat are permitted to remain on within the position.
Chairman Alex Wurz is an instance of that, with the Austrian final racing in F1 in 2007 however he returned seven years later to take up his present place.
Talking solely to PlanetF1.com, Wurz revealed that Vettel’s future with the organisation has not but been determined and that the present members selected to attend till the brand new season earlier than making a transfer to permit Vettel time to assume it over.
“We’ll resolve on [Vettel’s role] in the course of the first a part of the season,” Wurz mentioned. “As all of us needed to present Seb time to think about his personal future with maybe steady involvement within the GPDA.”
The 48-year-old revealed that ought to Vettel resolve to step down, a vote between the present members on his substitute can be held on the first European race of the season in Baku. George Russell can also be at present a director, as is lawyer Anastasia Fowle who turned the primary non-driver to carry such a task in 2021.
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Vettel has saved his playing cards near the chest in relation to his future, with an look alongside Mick Schumacher on the Race of Champions his solely public enterprise since his retirement, however Wurz believes Vettel has the traits to turn into the chairman of the GPDA someday.
“After all Seb may do the chairman of the GPDA job, as a lot as he has the best potential to be the boss of many different organisations,” Wurz mentioned. “The truth is if Sebastian turns his consideration to issues he at all times does a stellar job.
“I think about him as a superb good friend and while we don’t discuss each day he’s merely a superb good friend, an incredible individual with no such factor as small discuss.
“While all of us witnessed him fairly fiery and maybe cussed or very demanding contained in the automobile, exterior, with the helmet off, he is a superb man and an asset to any organisation or job.
“We as F1 are fortunate to have had him and I’m sure we’ll see him once more in some kind of capability or position, and if solely as an observer and steady ambassador of the game.
“I’m certain he wouldn’t be upset if I add that at occasions he isn’t the quickest of the administrators to answer to emails or messages however he does take all of it in and course of precisely and vastly.
“Merely a prime man.”