Former McLaren driver John Watson agrees with Jacques Villeneuve's comments that drivers should 'shut up' and not interfere with rule-making in Formula 1 Former McLaren driver John Watson agrees with Jacques Villeneuve's comments that drivers should 'shut up' and not interfere with rule-making in Formula 1

Former McLaren driver John Watson has told the F1 Report that drivers should focus on their job and branded the Grand Prix Drivers' Association letter to Bernie Ecclestone "a joke".

The GPDA penned a hard-hitting open letter to F1 stakeholders ahead of the Bahrain GP, calling for a restructuring of the sport's governance after a number of unpopular rule changes.

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve hit out at drivers for complaining about F1, and Watson agrees.

"Frankly grand prix drivers are lazy, all they do is work on a weekend," Watson told the F1 Report.

"They put together a letter, Alex Wurz is now the president of the so-called GPDA, stating the obvious. What Jacques has said in his comments is basically right.

"I just want drivers to do what they are good at doing and leave the other bits of Formula 1 to the people who manage it very well."

However, Watson thinks there is a way for drivers to have a positive influence in F1's decision making, but feels they've gone about it in the wrong way.

Natalie Pinkham is joined by former McLaren driver John Watson and F1 historian and author Roger Smith to preview the Chinese Grand Prix. Natalie Pinkham is joined by former McLaren driver John Watson and F1 historian and author Roger Smith to preview the Chinese Grand Prix.

"If they want to get involved, instead of going to the tattoo parlour to get another tattoo or going out with some model, then get involved," he said.

"Maybe try to find a way to have driver representation on the World Motor Sport Council for example where they can make a proper contribution.

"But constructing a letter like that, sending it to Bernie, it was a joke."