The director of Mercedes resisted the temptation to comment on the management of at the head of the FIA. When he asked Toto Wolff on his opinion on the president of the international federationhe tried not to say too much, and all this after these last few weeks, the GPDA [Asociación de Pilotos de Grandes Premios] issued a statement criticizing the figure, in which they urged him to address pilots as “adults.”
During the press conference of Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024, George Russell said they were “fed up” of not being listened to, while therefore for the last three meetings by Rui Marques. However, Toto Wolff tried to dodge the question, asking for “a joker” while pointing out that he and Fred Vasseur had to visit the commissioners just a year ago for inappropriate language in front of the media.
“I have to be careful what I say here, because last year Fred [Vasseur] and I had to go see the commissioners. Can we use the wildcard here and not respond? Why was last year so bad? “Is there no joker?” he asked. “We are in such a privileged position in the sport that we attract the most representative fans, if you will, the youngest.”
“We are competing with full stands, there are a lot of sponsors and interest, and what we have to realize is that we are all pulling the same rope and handling our product with care,” explained the Austrian. “And I think all stakeholders, including those in decision-making positions, have a responsibility in this sport, and we need stability, that’s how I see it.”
Toto Wolff also stated that It was crucial that complaints from drivers and crew chiefs about Mohammed bin Sulayem were kept away from the media.because this would only make the situation worse: “It is essential that we have a voice and that we manage it with the same care, and that we all do it, because we have had a fight in the media in recent years, and a word was said and another came in response.”
“I don’t think we should throw things like that at each other,” he said. “Being in a room and saying what we think is best for the sport is the right way, and what is that? Maybe where the drivers come from.”
In the meantime, Fred Vasseur admitted it was 'strange' for FIA president to replace race director at a crucial time of the season. Some believe that the result of an argument with Mohammed bin Sulayem was the dismissal of Niels Wittich after the 2024 Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
team manager Jonathan Wheatley in the paddock” width=”1200″ height=”800″ loading=”lazy”/> Ferrari He is 36 points behind McLaren in the fight for the constructors' title, and its director is aware that They are at a key moment in the campaignand that decisions made in race direction could have a significant influence on the outcome: “The timing of the decision is a bit of a strange subject for me, now that we are close to the end.”
“These are the three most difficult races to manage. The Grands Prix of Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with the championship, the timing is strange for me, but I am not behind the scenes of the discussions of the FIA,” said Fred Vasseur.
For his part, the person responsible for Alpine, Olivier Oakesagreed with the Frenchman, although he also stressed that the GPDA only wanted to attract attention: “I think the drivers want a conversation, they feel little listened to. The only thing I would say is that it's not easy for Rui [Marques] “To be in a situation with three races remaining, it’s a great job while the championship is underway.”
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