The current no longer passes between F1 drivers and the FIA (especially with its president under tension, Mohammed Ben Sulayem).
The president of the GPDA, George Russell, thus estimated that the drivers had “take” of the FIA. A letter signed by all the pilots was also sent to Place de la Concorde, on the swearing issue in particular, asking Mohammed Ben Sulayem first and foremost to watch his language.
This is not the only controversy surrounding Mohammed Ben Sulayem, since he has parted ways with both his racing team director, Niels Wittich, and his compliance manager, Paolo Basarri. All this very suddenly and without naming a lasting replacement.
So are the team bosses supporting their drivers' rebellion?
“I have to be careful what I say here because Fred and I, last year, were summoned by the commissioners” Toto Wolff half-jokes when answering this question in Las Vegas.
Obviously, the authoritarianism of Mohammed Ben Sulayem is frightening!
“Can we use a wild card here to not answer, because last year was so bad?” No joker? »
Toto Wolff kicks in, evoking F1 successes which are rather due to Liberty Media and Stefano Domenicali, not to the FIA…
“We are in such a privileged position in this sport, with appeal to fans in the best demographic of, let's say it, young people. We are racing in front of full stands, there is a lot of interest from sponsors. And what we need to achieve is that we're all pulling in the same direction and managing our common product carefully, keeping that in mind… That's a good answer, right? »
“I don’t know where you’re going with this.” smiles Frédéric Vasseur.
“Do you want us to repeat the question?” » agrees Oliver Oakes, the boss of Alpine F1.
So Toto Wolff continues with more seriousness, and without being too off-topic: “I think everyone who makes decisions needs to remember that we bear a responsibility for this sport and that we need stability. That's how I see it. »
“Nothing to add. The response was perfect” Frédéric Vasseur then approves.
As for the pilots' rebellion, what can Toto Wolff say about it? Does he approve of it?
“You know, it's critical enough that I think it's important that we here, who have a voice that will be heard, act with the same care that we all need to have. Because we have had arguments in the media in recent years. One word is said, another comes in response. And I don't think we should throw barbs at each other that way. But being in a room and saying, 'Here's what we think, what would be best for the sport,' is beyond personalities or teams. And I think that's probably where the pilots come from. »
Wittich: a strange eviction for Frédéric Vasseur…
On the other annoying subject, the sudden ousting of Niels Wittich, we sense Fréd Vasseur, the boss of the Scuderia, very circumspect…
“I don't know if the question was about the race director or something else, but certainly the timing of this decision is a bit of a strange subject for me, because we are now at the end of the championship, and these are probably the three most difficult races to manage. Vegas, if you remember last year, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, the last race of the championship. The timing is strange to me. »
“But I'm not in the internal FIA discussions, so that means I don't want to take a position on it, but the timing is strange. »
For Oakes, the main thing is that F1 drivers are heard more by the FIA, beyond this matter of swearing.
“The question was about what the pilots are looking for with their statement, and I think it's probably that they just want a little bit of dialogue at the end of the day. I think they feel a little ignored, which is natural in the end. »
And on the ousting of Niels Wittich? Oakes will be more cautious than Frédéric Vasseur…
“The only thing I would say is that it's not easy for someone like Rui (Marques, Niels Wittich's replacement) to be in this situation with three races to go. As these guys mentioned, it's a big responsibility with the championship battle going on. »
As the former boss of Hitech in F2, Oakes also knows Rui Marques well, who officiated there…
“Yes, I mean, I obviously know him from the junior formulas. I suppose it's a bit different when you're in the spotlight of F1, but he's obviously been well prepared. I guess he'll also have to deal with a bit of criticism from those two (Toto Wolff and Frédéric Vasseur), but I think he'll be fine. If they gave him a chance, it's because everyone thinks he's ready to step up and take on this position. »
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