Heading right into a race weekend when the vast majority of the Formulation 1 paddock struggles to see any daylight, it seems the drivers have been sad at being saved at the hours of darkness.
However their frustration isn’t directed on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, nor something to do with this weekend’s second version of the race in Sin Metropolis. It’s with the FIA and its current choice to interchange the race director Niels Wittich.
The governing physique introduced final week that Wittich had “stepped down” with rapid impact, though he informed German media that he had been fired. To interchange the race director is a major transfer both means, however to take action with three races left within the season is definitely unusual timing.
The choice got here shortly after the Grand Prix Drivers Affiliation (GPDA) had written an open letter calling for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to deal with them like adults and be extra clear about the place funding from financial fines goes.
“Speaking as a fellow driver versus my position with the GPDA, I feel all people felt with sure issues which have occurred over the course of this yr that we needed to face united,” George Russell stated.
“On the finish of the day, we simply wish to be clear with the FIA and have this dialogue that’s occurring, and I feel the departure of Niels can also be a chief instance of not being part of these conversations. And in the end, we solely wish to work with the FIA to make the very best for the game that all of us love.
“So, I feel it’s now placing the strain again on them to work with us and work with everybody, together with F1 as effectively, simply to maximise this chance, which Formulation 1 is in in the meanwhile, which is a tremendous time to be part of.”
That letter got here previous to Wittich’s departure, and whereas Russell admitted there have been points concerning the race director that wanted addressing, he revealed the drivers weren’t knowledgeable or consulted in regards to the scenario.
“We positively weren’t conscious,” he stated. “It was a little bit of a shock, I feel, for everyone. And it’s a hell of plenty of strain now onto the brand new race director. Simply three races left.
“Usually, as drivers, we really feel like we’re the final to search out out this form of info. And when it includes us instantly, it might be good to be saved within the loop and have an understanding of what selections are being made. So, time will inform. I’m certain the brand new man will deal with the place simply tremendous, however positively not a straightforward race for a brand new race director.
“I can solely speak on behalf of myself right here versus any of the opposite drivers, however I feel there’s no secret that some weren’t proud of what was happening by way of the choices that have been being made. However on the finish of the day, if you happen to’d labored along with us, that we might have helped enhance the matter.
Sainz (pictured with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem) was one among a number of drivers shocked by the information – and the timing – of race director Niels Wittich’s exit. Steven Tee/Motorsport Photographs
“I feel typically simply hiring and firing isn’t the answer. You’ll want to work collectively to enhance the issue. So, let’s see what this new period goes to deliver, however each time there’s a change, you need to take one step again earlier than you make the 2 steps forwards.”
Russell speaks from a place of management because the GPDA chairman, and was shocked that the current letter written to the FIA by the group has not acquired any type of response. He’s not alone in being caught out just lately both – Charles Leclerc additionally admitted that Wittich’s exit was sudden.
“That got here out a little bit of nowhere,” Leclerc stated. “I feel we have been all shocked. Greater than talking in regards to the choice – which we will all have our personal opinion (about) – I feel the timing was a bit shocking, to do it so late within the season, at such an important second of the season… Yeah, it might have most likely been managed in a greater means.
“However aside from that, it doesn’t essentially change our relationship with the FIA. It’s clearly a steady strategy of attempting to make that relationship, and that dialogue higher, with the intention to make our sport higher. And there are issues to enhance, for certain. And we are attempting to work with the FIA to make it higher. However yeah, fairly shocked with the timing of that.”
Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz agrees that handing the race director job to Rui Marques so near the top of the season, and forward of such a difficult tripleheader, is a giant ask. The Spaniard factors out that the race director and drivers must work carefully at each race, and as such they’ve an important relationship that now must be constructed from scratch.
“This can be very vital, that cooperation and that collaboration between racing drivers and race director,” Sainz stated. “Numerous choice that the race director takes are influenced by the suggestions that we give in regards to the monitor, the circumstances, every thing.
“I simply kindly ask from right here, only for the brand new one to be open-minded, to hearken to us, to understand our suggestions, as a result of if we are saying issues with the intention of change – on the monitor or one thing – or we talk one thing on the radio, it’s as a result of we actually imagine that.
“So I simply ask him for cooperation, collaboration, an open relationship and every thing ought to be clean. And I want him the very best as a result of it’s a troublesome job and he’s been given a really powerful job, which is to return right into a championship with solely three races left.”
It wasn’t simply the drivers who have been caught out by the timing both. Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted how chaotic final yr’s Las Vegas Grand Prix was for example of how difficult will probably be for Marques to stand up to hurry.
That’s even earlier than the choice to interchange Wittich is positioned within the wider context of a number of departures of senior personnel from the FIA over the previous yr. Compliance officer Paolo Basarri additionally left in current weeks.
“In the intervening time it seems like every thing is falling aside with all of the individuals leaving left, proper, and middle, however typically it’s essential to shake the tree to have a few of the apples fall out!” Lewis Hamilton stated on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Given this has all performed out because the drivers took a stand with their open letter solely serves to bolster the sentiment that each one isn’t effectively between the game’s largest stars and the FIA president. Russell summed up the sensation of lots of his friends when suggesting Ben Sulayem must discover a means of bringing stability to the governing physique, as a result of current developments haven’t crammed the drivers with confidence.
“We acknowledge all people’s working as arduous as they will to do the very best job doable,” Russell stated. “There’s clearly an enormous quantity of change inside the FIA fairly repeatedly, so it’s clearly not essentially the most secure of locations. And perhaps that’s why it’s been a bit difficult to get a few of the adjustments that we’ve needed applied.
“After all, everybody has their very own aspect to their very own story. However as I stated, I feel if we really feel that we’re being listened to and a few of the adjustments that we’re experiencing, requesting, are applied, as a result of in the end we’re solely doing it for the advantage of the game, then perhaps our confidence will improve.
“However I feel there’s various drivers who really feel most likely a bit fed up with the entire scenario. And it solely appears to be getting into, to a level, the mistaken route.”
