No pressue for Hamilton to join drivers' union - Sport - Evening Standard
       

No pressue for Hamilton to join drivers' union

Lewis Hamilton has been told he is under no pressure to join the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

Hamilton faced rare criticism from Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart earlier this week regarding his decision not to become a member.

Stewart believes "it is wrong and complacent of Lewis not to be involved" as the GPDA are primarily involved in improving safety for all Formula One drivers.

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The toast of Melbourne: Hamilton at the weekend

The 23-year-old McLaren star has apparently offered the excuse he is too busy to join the GPDA, who meet on a Friday of each grand prix weekend.

However, GPDA chairman and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa insists the organisation respects Hamilton's wishes.

Speaking to autosport.com, he remarked: "The GPDA respects Lewis and the three other drivers who aren't members - Kimi Raikkonen, Anthony Davidson and Adrian Sutil.

"Clearly, we look forward to Lewis becoming a GPDA member at some time in the future, and the other three too.

"But it isn't mandatory to join and it isn't our intention to put pressure on Lewis as he has always been extremely helpful with any safety issue we have engaged in in the past."

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