Villeneuve explains GPDA resignation
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve says his resignation from the Grand Prix Drivers' Association was a personal choice that should not reflect on the work the body has been carrying to improve safety in racing
Villeneuve resigned from the GPDA at Silverstone last weekend, after the drivers met to discuss Michael Schumacher's antics in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The race stewards said the German driver deliberately stopped his Ferrari car in the dying moments of the session to hinder other drivers and maintain his pole position.
"Personally, I am not happy that someone can run the GPDA and act like that," Villeneuve said on Thursday, before the GPDA met on Friday.
He then resigned from the organisation but refrained from giving his views on the matter, until the topic was tackled again today in London, where his BMW Sauber team held demonstration runs in Hyde Park.
"There was just something that I didn't agree with," Villeneuve said. "Out of principle, I could not carry on within that group.
"But the GPDA does a lot of good on the safety aspect - David [Coulthard] does a great job on that.
"I didn't leave so that I could make a stand or anything - that's why I didn't really speak about it at Silverstone. It was just a personal thing that I didn't agree with."
Asked if his decision was specifically linked to Schumacher's Monaco controversy, the Canadian said: "I won't get into any details about it."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
GT Winter Series Jerez: SR Motorsport dominates weekend
Formula Winter Series Jerez: Cardenas, Peebles and Cota share wins
GT4 Winter Series Jerez: Elite conquers rain and rivals
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
Villeneuve: Verstappen wants Hamilton as next Red Bull F1 team-mate
The F1 rebel who defied Schumacher and won Williams’ last title
Norris had no reason to apologise for China F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Supercars New Zealand: Heimgartner splashes to Taupo opener victory
Hamilton: Norris would have been better off conceding in Turn 1
Leclerc: Sainz “over the limit” with defence in F1 Chinese GP sprint race
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments