The Grand Prix Drivers' Association has reacted following the death of Jules Bianchi.

In a brief statement, issued following today's tragic news, the F1 drivers' 'union' said: "Formula 1 has lost a great talent, a great man and a great friend today.

"Twenty-one years after the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, we have now lost Jules, who has died as a direct consequence of an on track accident.

"It is at times like this that we are brutally reminded of how dangerous racing still remains. Despite considerable improvements, we, the Grand Prix drivers, owe it to the racing community, to the lost ones and to Jules, his family and friends, to never relent in improving safety.

"Our sincerest condolences go out to Jules' family and friends."

Whilst the association's comments are appreciated, for far too long the body has been silent and toothless.

If nothing else, we must hope that something good comes out of Jules' passing, that the body which is supposed to represent his interests, and those of his colleagues, gets far more involved in the aspects of the sport that directly impact those men who put their lives on the line every second weekend.

Lending the association's name to a fan survey that will have little or no influence on how the sport's owners ultimately take it forward, is all well and good, but what the GPDA should really be focussing on, what it was formed for, is to represent the interests of its members, and the key interest of each and every one of them is safety.