Hamilton 'too busy' to join GPDA
Lewis Hamilton has ruled out joining the Grand Prix Drivers' Association for now, despite hopes from the organisation's leading figures that he would do so
New GPDA chairman Pedro de la Rosa told autosport.com in Melbourne that one of his first tasks would be to try and convince Hamilton to join the drivers' organisation.
But Hamilton has made it clear that he has no plans to sign up to it yet, because he feels he is too busy to be able to contribute positively.
"There's no particular reason," he said when asked why he had not joined the GPDA. "I had so much going on last year and the same is true now - it's time as much as anything.
"If you are part of an important organisation you have to be committed, and I really don't have time for that at the moment."
Hamilton is optimistic about his chances for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix after topping the times in second practice.
And although Ferrari's long run pace appears to be slightly better than McLaren's, Hamilton has seen nothing from his rivals to particularly worry him.
"I feel very, very optimistic for sure," he said. "I think the pace that we have and Ferrari have is very good. Heikki and I did a very good job and I feel comfortable in the car and confident I can do a good job.
"Last year we had the fastest one single lap and they (Ferrari) had the fastest long runs. I don't fear their long runs though. I think our long runs are very strong."
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