Grand Prix Drivers' Association chairman Pedro de la Rosa has revealed that the body is in no rush to oppose the planned ban on tyre warmers in
Formula One, but insists that it is likely that it will be trying to hold talks with the governing body about the matter.
Speaking on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix, the
McLaren test driver concurred with his rivals' opinion that removing the technology - which the
FIA is planning to do on the grounds of cost-cutting - would be a backward step in terms of safety in the top flight. However, he revealed that the GPDA would not be rushing into a protest, after an improvement in tyre performance at the recent Barcelona test.
"First of all, we are going to talk between ourselves to see what the majority agreement of the GPDA is, and then we will act accordingly," he explained, "We are very relaxed about it, we are not in a hurry. We were waiting until this week.
"I tested the tyres at
Jerez, back in early December I think, and it was extremely dangerous. It was very cold and I nearly put the car into the pit wall, just coming out of the garage. The car didn't turn and I nearly hit the wall. It would have been quite embarrassing if I had done so, but I just avoided a stupid accident.
"Then, when we came here [last week],
Bridgestone had made some further steps and now the tyres are easier to warm up, so they are working at a lower temperature range. They are still difficult, but we were waiting for these tests to happen, so that we could have a meeting between the drivers who had done the tests with the tyres and then decide accordingly.
"We are pretty relaxed - we know that the FIA will listen to us and we just have to be sure that we all have the same criteria, that's all."
The matter was raised during the first press conference of the Spanish GP weekend, and de la Rosa was quick to point out the safety implications of Formula One joining other series around the world in outlawing the use of warming devices.
