F1 bosses issue response to Lewis Hamilton FIA 'seat' demand

Senior F1 bosses have reacted to Lewis Hamilton's recent demand for a "seat at the table" during negotiations with the FIA. 

Throughout the April break, the FIA, F1, and the teams met to discuss changes to the technical regulations, which came into force for Miami, with more changes planned for the 2027 season.

However, the body which met to discuss these changes, the F1 Commission, does not formally hold any position for drivers as, in Hamilton's own words, they are not "stakeholders" within grand prix racing.

The seven-time champion explained in Miami that he was hoping drivers would receive a "seat at the table" in future talks - with his Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur and Williams' James Vowles responding to the request.

"I think a good example was that drivers, they were part of the discussion on the modification of the engine in the last few weeks, it went well," observed Vasseur.

"For sure, they have a different point of view, and it’s not always easy to find a compromise. But they are part of the discussion, and they will be part of the discussion, as we are also listening to them, discussing with them and bringing their feedback to the FIA when we are discussing the regulations. 

"They are not excluded at all from the system."

As for Vowles, he touched upon his driver, Carlos Sainz, a GPDA director, liaising with the FIA's single-seater technical chief, Nikolas Tombazis.

"I know Carlos was, for example, consulted. Nicolas [Tombazis] did a good job by bringing him on board, asking the questions before we went through this regulation change to make sure he and others were part of that process," said Vowles.

"I think the facts are behind it. We’re probably already too many around the table to discuss because you just end up going in circles. Adding five more of us isn’t going to help. 

"But what is taking place in the background now, for example, there’s a form making sure the drivers can fill in their views on certain aspects of things. 

"I think having a representative, either pre-meeting with the FIA or in the meeting, is probably somewhat sensible. We just need to make sure that we’re not driving towards the direction of one PU manufacturer and using bias, that we really do hear the opinion of what’s required from the drivers."