The FIA issues a reminder to the bosses of Mercedes and Ferrari
Toto Wolff had made remarks deemed "inappropriate" during the pre-race press conference in Las Vegas. Ultimately, Mercedes gets away with just a warning.
Mercedes and Ferrari should remember their first visit to Las Vegas, but for various reasons. In addition to the colossal opening ceremony, the team faced difficult qualifications and a mixed race. On the Italian side of the garage, the weekend started off very badly, with major issues on Carlos Sainz’s car after the driver drove over a sewer grate. However, everything else turned out well with a beautiful P2 finish for Charles Leclerc.
Mercedes comes out
In addition to a disappointing performance in the race, Mercedes has been warned for Toto Wolff’s statements deemed inappropriate during the press conference, constituting a violation of Article 12.2.1.f of the International Sporting Code of the Federation. The official statement specifies that the « FIA considers this type of language unacceptable in the future, especially when used by participants in the sport who have a high public profile and are perceived by many, particularly young fans of the sport, as role models, and that the FIA will not tolerate the use of such language in FIA forums by any speaker in the future. »
However, due to mitigating circumstances, the FIA decided to issue a simple warning. Based on the team manager’s submission, the use of the said language was unusual in this case and was provoked by an abrupt interruption during the press conference, and therefore cannot be considered typical of this team manager, added the organization.
Ferrari also benefits from a mitigating circumstance
Same problem but not at the same time. After Carlos Sainz was penalized for a battery change, Frederic Vasseur expressed his outrage at the sanction imposed on his driver. It is clear that the cause of the incident stems from an issue on the track. Just like Toto Wolff, an investigation had been opened for language deemed inappropriate.
Finally, the FIA explained in a statement that: « In this case, the team manager was extremely upset and frustrated by the incident that occurred during free practice 1, and such language from him was not usual; Taking into account the mitigating circumstances mentioned above, the stewards issue a formal warning in this case. »
Both stables escape without financial sanctions.
