Alonso: drivers free not to join GPDA

As Lewis Hamilton is put under continued pressure to join the drivers' body, Alonso reckons every racer should be free to choose whether they want to be involved or not.

The Spaniard, however, says the GPDA has played an important role in improving safety in Formula One.

"Well, I think everybody has his opinion and they make their own decisions," said Alonso.

"For sure, the GPDA is something that improves the safety for all the drivers over the last couple of years - we check the circuit before arriving and after and we are very closely in touch with the FIA.

"Last year, we improved the safety at the tests and now there are doctors, ambulances, helicopters - the same equipment as in races. Before, we were testing a little bit like kamikazes.

"I think the GPDA helped introduce the new headrest rules after seeing the accident of Wurz and Coulthard in Australia last year.

"I think the GPDA does a good job in terms of safety and the money left goes to charity things as well. So the drivers who don't want to be involved in GPDA - that's okay and it's their own decision and there's nothing more I can say.

"Obviously, it's stronger with more drivers and it would be nice but I can't say anything negative about them because it's their decision. But I joined GPDA because I don't want to risk my life in the car."

Only four of the current 22 drivers are not GPDA members, including Hamilton, world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Super Aguri's Anthony Davidson, and Force India's Adrian Sutil.