GPDA supports FIA Summit

"We fully endorse the work that the FIA Institute is doing in this area and find it especially satisfying that so many high level representatives from the world of sport will take an active role in the Summit," said the GPDA in a statement.

"The GPDA is extremely pleased to add its participation to this important event."

The Summit, which will focus on the theme of Risk Management in Sport, begins today at the Paul Ricard circuit and will feature speeches from FIA president Max Mosley and Roland Blanchet, the Directeur de Cabinet for Jean-Francois Lamour, the French Minister for Sport.

The programme will also include presentations from a number of high profile Formula One figures including Toyota team boss Tsutomu Tomita and Williams driver Alex Wurz.

"Driving is inherently a risky business and it is vital that we seek to diminish those risks without affecting the excitement of a sport that we all love," said Wurz, a GPDA member.

"Events such as this Centre of Excellence Summit can play a central role in the development of motor sport safety.

"Some of these benefits can be transferred to improvements in road safety and it's good to know that work undertaken to improve motor sport safety can also potentially save lives and prevent injuries on our roads."

GPDA director Ralf Schumacher added: "It is essential that we work constructively with the FIA and the FIA Institute to help minimise the risks in our sport.

"As drivers we have a role to play in progressing research and development in this area and we are only too happy to offer our support to events such as this the first FIA Institute Summit."