Wasser: We will see a more complete picture on Saturday

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur on competitiveness at Spa and Renault’s departure…

Q: How do you assess the result on Friday? It seems that you were more competitive in Hungary. What do you expect from the Belgian Grand Prix?
Frederik Vasseur: It is too early to draw conclusions, but in Spa, as elsewhere, the training results depend on the engine operating mode, fuel level, etc. On Saturday we will see a more complete picture.

Q: Lewis is playing for your team next year and yesterday he said on team radio that Max’s behaviour last week was unbecoming of a world champion. If your driver spoke like that on team radio, would you take him aside to talk after the race?
Frederik Vasseur: I don’t see any connection with Lewis on this issue, sorry. I don’t know if I should be politically correct or not, but we have to remember that we are the only sport in the world where guys talk on the radio during training or during the race.

I’m not sure it would be much better to put a microphone on a football player. Sometimes even the referee. This means we have to stay calm in this matter. Or we have to mute the microphone, but I’m not sure that would improve the show. But I will discuss this with Lewis.

Q: 18 months ago you and Mattia Binotto actually switched teams. You know him well, you know Sauber well, you know how difficult it is to manage a team in Switzerland. Can you give your opinion on his move to Sauber?

Frederik Vasseur: I am focused on my team, on my guys, and I understand very well that it is difficult to compete in Formula 1, but not only in Switzerland. It is difficult everywhere.

Question: It has now become known that Renault will leave Formula 1. What do you think about this?
Frederik Vasseur: My main concern in this situation is the employees. I know this company very well, where I worked for many years. I started my career in 1992 at Renault, I am deeply attached to Renault and I am very sorry for the decision I have taken.