CARLOS SAINZ has joined George Russell as a director of Formula One’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GDPA).

The Williams driver, who has been replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, will take the position vacated by Sebastian Vettel within the organisation.

“I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects,” said Sainz in a post on the GPDA’s Instagram account.

“So, I am very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the director’s role in the GPDA.”

Chairman of the GPDA Alex Wurz said: “We are delighted to welcome Carlos as a GPDA director. He has been an active and engaged member of the GPDA for several years and we sincerely appreciate his commitment in stepping up to the vital role.”

Last year, the GPDA – which acts as a union for the grid’s stars – challenged Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership of the FIA by urging the Emirati to treat them like adults after Max Verstappen was sentenced to community service for swearing in a press conference.