Grand Prix Drivers' Association

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (commonly referred to as the "GPDA") is the trade union of Formula One drivers. Its chairman is Alexander Wurz, with George Russell and Sebastian Vettel serving as directors. 
It was initially founded on 11 May 1961, with the aim of improving safety standards. Stirling Moss was the original chairman, with Jo Bonnier taking over in 1963. It quite notably led to the boycotts of the 1969 Belgian Grand Prix and of the Nürburgring in 1970 and after 1976, as well as a drivers' strike at the 1982 South African Grand Prix. It disbanded in 1982, with the Professional Racing Drivers Association being formed in its place to represent all drivers, not just F1 drivers.
After the death of Roland Ratzenberger in qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the reformation of the Association was proposed. Ayrton Senna was to be appointed as a director, but tragically died in the race itself. The reformation was completed during the weekend of the following race, the , with Michael Schumacher appointed as chairman.
On 5 February 1996, the company was incorporated in the United Kingdom as a company limited by guarantee as Grand Prix Drivers Association Limited. Its directors at the time of founding were Schumacher, Gerhard Berger and Martin Brundle. The members meet at every F1 event.
==Membership==
Membership is not compulsory for F1 drivers. However, most do join. It costs £2,000 to join.
===List of Chairmen===
Chairman 	Years
Stirling Moss 	1961–1963
Jo Bonnier 	1963–1971
Jackie Stewart 	1972–1978
Jody Scheckter 	1979–1980
Didier Pironi 	1980–1982
Ayrton Senna 	1994
Michael Schumacher	1994–2005
David Coulthard 	2005–2006
Ralf Schumacher 	2006–2007
Pedro de la Rosa 	2008–2010
Nick Heidfeld 	2010
Rubens Barrichello	2010–2011
Pedro de la Rosa 	2012–2014
Alexander Wurz 	2014–present
===List of Directors===
Note: from 1996
Director 	Years 	Stint as chairman
Michael Schumacher	1996–2005 	1996–2005
Gerhard Berger 	1996 	
Martin Brundle 	1996 	
Damon Hill 	1996–1998 	
David Coulthard 	1996–2006 	2005–2006
Alexander Wurz 	1998–20012014–present	2014–present
Jarno Trulli 	2001–2006 	
Mark Webber 	2003–20052006–2010 	
Ralf Schumacher 	2006–2007 	2006–2007
Fernando Alonso 	2006–2010 	
Pedro de la Rosa 	2008–20102012–2014 	2008–20102012–2014
Nick Heidfeld 	2010 	2010
Felipe Massa 	2010–2013 	
Sebastian Vettel 	2010–present 	
Rubens Barrichello	2010–2011 	2010–2011
Jenson Button 	2013–2017 	
Romain Grosjean 	2017–2020 	
George Russell 	2021–present 	
===List of Company Secretaries===
Company 	Years
Eps Secretaries Limited 	1996–2010
Boodle Hatfield Secretarial LimitedS L Secretaries Limited	2010–present
==External links==
*Company details on Duedil
==Notes==
Category:Grand Prix Drivers Association
Category:Companies