The GPDA dates back 40 years to its formation on 11 May 1961, coincidentally in Monaco. It specifically looks after the interests of the Grand Prix drivers and many top drivers of their time have been directors.

As the 1960s developed, the GPDA worked hard to improve safety standards, especially through the efforts of Bonnier and Jackie Stewart. BRM boss Louis Stanley furthered its efforts with a concerted campaign between 1968 and 1973.

The body carried less influence in the 1980s, when the most high-profile incident was a drivers' strike at Kyalami in 1982. Niki Lauda and Didier Pironi proved the key players on that occasion.
It gained importance and prominence again after the 1994 deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. Ever since they have been continually working towards making their sport more safe.

Since then, it has pushed for the introduction of massive safety improvements in the sport and revised Superlicence arrangements, as well as constantly providing an important channel of communication between the drivers and the governing body of world motorsport, the FIA.