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De la Rosa to Step Down as GPDA CEO

With Pedro de la Rosa signing a deal with BMW Sauber F1 team for the upcoming season of Formula One, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) might be forced to elect a new chairman this year. The Spanish driver had been voted at the helm of the GPDA by all the active drivers in the F1 paddock during the 2008 season, replacing departed German driver Ralf Schumacher.

However, the former McLaren Mercedes tester revealed that his commitment with Peter Sauber's team will leave him little time to focus on driver safety-related issues, for which he had plenty of time to dedicate back when he was testing for the Woking based outfit.

According to De la Rosa, being president of the drivers' association is more than just a distinction, as it involves continuous activities orientated at improving the drivers' safety in the sport. When he was testing for McLaren for the past few years, he had the time and the means to look at potential safety problems and focus on resolving them. However, time will no longer be an ally from now on.

It will obviously be more difficult now for me to have the chairmanship, because I have less time. I personally believe that we need someone who has more time than a race driver. As a test driver it was easy,” said De la Rosa during the media event in which BMW Sauber F1 revealed their new C29 single-seater, on Sunday.

Talking about the possibility of stepping down as chairman of the GPDA – where Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber are also directors – the Spaniard admitted he is yet to make a decision.

Good question. I don't know yet, I haven't decided it myself. We will have to discuss this with the GPDA members,” added De la Rosa, according to the GMM news agency.
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