Webber: Hamilton will come around on GPDA

Grand Prix Drivers' Association director Mark Webber criticised Lewis Hamilton's reluctance to join the organisation because of lack of time, but the Australian said he is confident the young Briton will eventually come around

The GPDA leaders have made the recruitment of Hamilton one of their main targets, but the young Briton has made it clear that he currently does not have the time to be able to contribute positively to the body.

But Webber believes that Hamilton's attitude will change soon, and that one day he will wake up to the reasons behind the GPDA's safety crusade.

"I'm pretty confident eventually he'll see the benefits of being on the GPDA because it's helping him a great deal," said Webber.

"Maybe one day he'll be in the barriers in Jerez, he won't be breathing and he'll need somebody to help him. That's something the GPDA has helped greatly improve over the last three or four years. And that goes for any young driver coming into F1."

Webber has said he does not understand why many of the sport's younger drivers do not automatically sign up for the organisation, especially as their only commitment is to attend the short GPDA meeting that takes place every Friday of a Grand Prix weekend.

"We're not reinventing the wheel with the GPDA. We're just working hard with [FIA delegate] Charlie [Whiting] and the circuits to improve safety.

"It's a little bit naive of some of the guys not to want to collectively unify in supporting that push. You don't have to be a totally active member - it's only 20 minutes a fortnight of your time."