Wolff and Vasseur summoned to stewards over Vegas comments
Mercedes and Ferrari Formula 1 team principals Toto Wolff and Fred Wasser were called out by Abu Dhabi management for their actions during a press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The incident happened during a work stoppage last Thursday after a water valve cover broke and caused serious damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and Esteban Ocon’s Alpe. Vegas FP1 drama upsets Wasser/Wolf – for several reasons
Driver Tom Clarkson tried to question Wasser about the overall problems of Ferrari’s season, but Wasser initially decided to leave the subject of his anger at what happened on track.
Wolf tried to calm him down but appeared to be interrupted by another journalist in the room, asking if the delay to the practice session was a “black eye” for F1 given the contours of the Las Vegas incident. your answer For Wolff, the focus was on criticism of Formula 1 rather than Formula 1 itself.
In the trustees’ appeal, Wasser and Wolff were told to address issues “regarding the use of specific language” in their responses. Auditions will be held soon in Abu Dhabi.
What happened at the Vegas press conference?
Speaking at Friday’s FIA press conference, which began 30 minutes after the conclusion of FP1, Vasseur described as “unfortunate” the track issue that damaged Sainz’s car as the strange opening exchange began. When Clarkson wanted to ask Wasser about the “big picture” of the Las Vegas GP, Wasser replied: “But this [picture] is good. “I don’t need a big picture.”
Clarkson eventually tried to get Wasser to talk about what the race meant to Ferrari, the magnitude of the event and Ferrari’s promotional efforts around it, but Wasser laughed and explained that he did not want to have that discussion in this moment. . Gary Anderson has revealed how Ferrari will take revenge on F1’s ‘stupid’ rules.
“I’m not sure if that’s the topic today,” he said. “We had a very difficult FP1 which cost us a lot of money. “We have created a session for Carlos, who will definitely not be part of FP2 (this session delay means the car will be ready in time) and we will have to change the chassis and two-thirds of the car. “Well, the show is the show and everything is going well, but I don’t think it’s good for F1 today.”
But as the press conference continued, Wasser declined the opportunity to say that F1 should focus more on making the circuits safe and prepared than the extravagant extracurricular activities surrounding the Grand Prix.
Our verdict on the wild F1 thriller Las Vegas GP
He also called the Las Vegas show “mega” and said it should be kept separate from the “sports side” and said he was “very happy with what Liberty did with the race.” Mercedes boss Wolff later dismissed questions about the practice stoppage and track problems being a “black eye” for F1, saying: “Nobody will be talking about it tomorrow morning.”
He was then interrupted by another reporter in the room, who wondered how Wolff could call him “nothing.” This angered Wolff, who called it “absolutely ridiculous” and “how dare you repeat a story that sets new standards for everything?” he asked.
“And you’re talking about the drain cap coming loose, that’s happened before, that’s nothing,” Wolff said. “This is FP1. Thanks to those who created this Grand Prix and made this sport bigger than ever. “Have you written nice things about someone? You should talk about everyone who was here. “Liberty did a great job and the drain cap came off at 1FP so I can’t complain.
“The car broke down. It would be really embarrassing and dangerous for Carlos.
“Between the records and the FIA and everything, we have to look at how we prevent this from happening again. But if we talk about the black spot for the sport on Thursday night, nobody will notice that [the sessions] continue. on. .European. »
