Lewis Hamilton demands 'power seat' at FIA table

Lewis Hamilton has demanded for Formula 1 drivers to have a "power seat" at the FIA table, to improve relations and communication with the FIA.  The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, announced earlier this week that he would consider making changes to Appendix B of the International Sporting Code, in relation to the controversial swearing rules.  Communication has been a weak point between the GDPA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) and the FIA for much of Ben Sulayem's tenure as its president, something F1's stars want to change.  In recent times, the GDPA has resorted to sending motorsport's governing body open letters in order to communicate, rather than in-person meetings.  Hamilton is eager for things to change and for a better working relationship to be developed, involving inclusion in FIA meetings.  "I think, ultimately, the GDPA is very unified," insisted Hamilton, speaking to select media including RacingNews365 . "Ultimately, we want to be able to work closely with the FIA.  "I think everyone, all of us, want to make the sport continue to work together and make the sport better.  "And of course, we've faced a bit of an uphill challenge in that communication over time. Ultimately, we don't hold a power seat at the [FIA] table, and that needs to change, in my opinion. "If you look at other sports that have unions, that may be something that comes into play at some stage, but it's just we, as I said, we don't want to control things. We just want to collaborate with them more and and have our voices heard. "Ultimately, the people making decisions for others that have never been in that position. It's good to have a point of view from the driver's perspective, and that's all we try to give."