Formula 1 drivers "unanimously signed up to their union because of concerns over the future of the sport," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. Grand Prix Drivers' Association Chair Alexander Wurz said that the organization had 100% membership "for maybe the first time in history." Wurz added that all drivers had now joined the GPDA because "F1 is entering a period of evolution, change and perhaps even a degree of turmoil." World champions Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen were among those who had not officially joined the GPDA in recent years. F1 is entering a period of "intense political negotiations" as the teams come to the end of the contracts that "bind them to the sport, which for the large part expire" in '20 (BBC, 12/13). MOTORSPORT's Lawrence Barretto reported Wurz said, "The drivers believe unity is fundamental for the sport's success." Since taking over F1, Liberty Media has taken its time in "assessing what areas of the championship need tweaking." Wurz called for the focus to remain on the cars and the track performance. He said, "All adjustments to the sport should only be done and conducted in the best interest of the sport and not of any one individual, and this is what unites the drivers" (MOTORSPORT, 12/13).
CAUSING CONTROVERSY: AUTOSPORT's Jonathan Noble reported FIA President Jean Todt believes it would be "unfair" to F1's current manufacturers if future rules "overlook what they want and pander too much to potential new entrants." Proposals for "tweaks" to the engine rules for '21 have "caused some controversy," with Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari all speaking out against ideas "they fear will lead to a dramatic increase in costs." Rulemakers, however, know that if they do not alter the current engine regulations, there is "little hope of independents such as Ilmore and Cosworth being able to join F1." Todt is "clear that it would be a mistake to ignore the investment that current manufacturers have made in the turbo hybrid era" in favor of companies that may not be able to afford to enter F1 anyway. Todt was a "key supporter" of the move to the turbo hybrid engines, but acknowledges that the power units "have not delivered in all areas" (AUTOSPORT, 12/12).
