GPDA clears air with Schumacher

GPDA members wanted to get a full explanation from Schumacher about exactly what happened during his qualifying incident at Monaco - amid suggestions that there would be a push in the meeting for the seven-time champion to stand down from his role because of what happened.

Some drivers believed the GPDA's quest for improved safety would be compromised by Schumacher representing them - because of what had happened at Rascasse.

But after a half hour meeting behind closed doors, GPDA members decided that there was no reason for Schumacher to stand down as they moved to put the controversy of the last two weeks behind them.

Speaking to autosport.com, GPDA director David Coulthard said that the meeting had been productive in clearing up the matter between drivers - and confirmed that no changes would take place in the GPDA leadership.

"As I have said before, it was on the end of our agenda that we had to go through, and it has all been cleared up," he said. "I don't want to say too much about what the discussion was, but we are still represented by the three main directors.

"I think it was a good meeting. It was good to clear the air over the 'he said, she said' of the last two weeks. Everyone is unanimous in that we are together and that we want to move forward and Michael is a major player in that.

"Everyone has their individual opinion of what happened in Monaco and is comfortable with what the stewards did."

It is not known exactly what Schumacher said in the meeting, but Coulthard said that the mood was generally positive - despite some initial confrontation between the German and his rivals.

"Of course there was a bit of tension to start with. People just needed to sit down with each other and in the end it was a very productive meeting."

When asked whether he thought the GPDA meeting had brought closure to the issue, Coulthard said: "Absolutely. It was a good meeting and it is good to have these things from time to time, to get everyone's enthusiasm and juices going."

Although Schumacher will remain in his role alongside Coulthard and Jarno Trulli as a director, there is likely to be a change later this year.

"As per last year, Turkey will be a point where we nominate whether the three directors continue or whether we change," said Coulthard. "Personally I think it is good to see change because then the reactive role of the GPDA keeps getting moved along."

Kimi Raikkonen, Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, Heikki Kovalainen, Franck Montagny and Anthony Davidson did not attend the meeting.

Webber is believed to have skipped it because he held a private 20-minute chat with Schumacher in the Silverstone paddock on Thursday night.