GPDA in push to have bigger say in ways to improve F1 show

The drivers' body is ready to begin work on areas of fresh interest that it hopes will make F1 better for fans, as well as ramping up its efforts on safety issues.

GPDA chairman Alex Wurz, who was voted in just days before Jules Bianchi's crash in Japan, says that the meeting in Abu Dhabi will start to define the areas where it feels drivers can make a valuable contribution.

"We are in the process of defining these points in detail," Wurz told AUTOSPORT.

"Not one of us wanted or considered that such a big accident could happen, so I have to say that we have had to put our attention to the issues at stake after Suzuka. That is a priority shift.

"But we will meet in Abu Dhabi and discuss exactly some of the ideas and proposals I have for the GPDA to go and engage with the key stakeholders, and with the fans.

"We want to be a bit more public, but without being political."

After being voted in, Wurz made clear that he wanted the GPDA to help work with teams and F1's chiefs to find ways where the sport can improve.

But, whatever path it takes over the next few weeks, Wurz is adamant that the GPDA does not plan to get in conflict with F1's chief - it wants to work with them.

"I think the GPDA needs to change slightly," he added.

"I think we are ready and we should also have an influence in a positive way for the sport to be a bit more open, to engage with the fans, to co-ordinate with the strategy groups, research groups, the rule makers and the key stakeholders.

"But again we want to do it in co-operation. We are all together: we all sit down and we all want the sport to be successful, safe and spectacular.

"We can do that, we want to do that, but it means we have to integrate ourselves in the system.

"So that means I will have a lot of work!"

For a full analysis of the GPDA's plan, and the role the drivers' body plays in Formula 1, see this week's AUTOSPORT.