Pedro de la Rosa open to staying on as F1 GPDA chairman

The Spaniard took over the senior position at the GPDA at the start of 2012, after Rubens Barrichello had to hand over responsibilities when he moved to IndyCar.

But with de la Rosa having found it difficult to devote enough time to both racing for HRT and fulfilling responsibilities for the GPDA, it was not clear if he would continue in 2013.

However, with HRT having folded and de la Rosa moving to a new job at Ferrari, the Spaniard believes he will be better able to commit to the GPDA role - which is why he is happy to continue if his fellow drivers want him to.

AUTOSPORT understands that F1's drivers have agreed to meet at the Australian Grand Prix for a vote on who will become their figureheads for 2013.

At the moment, de la Rosa is chairman while Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa have been directors since the start of 2011.

Speaking about the situation, de la Rosa told AUTOSPORT: "If the other drivers want me to continue as chairman, then I am happy to do it."