Pedro de la Rosa appointed GPDA chairman for 2012 F1 season
Pedro de la Rosa will take over from Rubens Barrichello as the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association for 2012, AUTOSPORT car reveal
Barrichello lost his seat at Williams for this season, meaning the GPDA needed to find a new chief, but drivers had already agreed last year that de la Rosa would step into the vacant position under such circumstances.
"The agreement we had at the end of last season was that if Rubens would not be in Formula 1, then I would take over," HRT driver de la Rosa told AUTOSPORT.
"That was the vote from the drivers, so I will take over.
"But it's only because Rubens is not here. Otherwise he was doing a super job and everyone was happy for him to continue. It's a position I have inherited, and I'm happy to continue my work from two years ago."
De la Rosa is no stranger to the GPDA, having been chairman from 2008 until he returned to F1 last time with Sauber in 2010.
"I always like to be part of the GPDA in some form," he said. "I think the GPDA is a much more important organisation than some people might think. The fact that we are nearly all together, it makes us very strong. The atmosphere in the meetings is good - there are no problems between the drivers.
"We're all in the same boat, we're pushing together, and I'm very happy to be back."
Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa are expected to remain on as directors of the GPDA, with a vote likely to take place at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Struggling Ferrari not expecting early podiums in 2012
Barcelona Formula 1 test two round-up
The historic clues that offer hints of Hamilton’s next move
OPINION: Uncertainty over Lewis Hamilton's future has persisted since the race direction call that denied him an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last month. But while walking away would be understandable, Hamilton has time and again responded well in the face of adversity and possesses all the tools needed to bounce back stronger than ever
What the FIA must do to restore F1’s credibility
OPINION: The first stage of the 2022 Formula 1 pre-season is just over a month away, but the championship is still reeling from the controversial results of last year’s finale. The FIA acknowledges F1 has had its reputation dented as a result, so here’s how it could go about putting things right
The six F1 subplots to watch in 2022 as a new era begins
As Formula 1 prepares to begin a new era of technical regulations in 2022, Autosport picks out six other key elements to follow this season
Why newly-retired Raikkonen won't miss F1
After 349 grand prix starts, 46 fastest laps, 21 wins and one world championship, Kimi Raikkonen has finally called time on his F1 career. In an exclusive interview with Autosport on the eve of his final race, he explains his loathing of paddock politics and reflects on how motorsport has changed over the past two decades
Unpacking the technical changes behind F1 2022's rules shakeup
Formula 1 cars will look very different this year as the long-awaited fresh rules finally arrive with the stated aim of improving its quality of racing. Autosport breaks down what the return of 'ground effect' aerodynamics - and a flurry of other changes besides - means for the teams, and what fans can expect
Why new era F1 is still dogged by its old world problems
OPINION: The 2022 Formula 1 season is just weeks away from getting underway. But instead of focusing on what is to come, the attention still remains on what has been – not least the Abu Dhabi title decider controversy. That, plus other key talking points, must be resolved to allow the series to warmly welcome in its new era
The Schumacher trait that will give Haas hope in F1 2022
Mick Schumacher’s knack of improving during his second season in a championship was a trademark of his junior formula career, so his progress during his rookie Formula 1 campaign with Haas was encouraging. His target now will be to turn that improvement into results as the team hopes to reap the rewards of sacrificing development in 2021
The “glorified taxi” driver central to F1’s continued safety push
As the driver of Formula 1’s medical car, Alan van der Merwe’s job is to wait – and hope his skills aren’t needed. JAMES NEWBOLD hears from F1’s lesser-known stalwarts