Fred Vasseur (Alfa Romeo): “There will be a before and after Covid-19! »

Hello Fred, how was life at the factory organized? since returning from Melbourne ?

The entire racing team was quarantined so as not to take any risks. As for the 350 employees we have left, they are in confinement like all Swiss employees. The decision tobring forward the summer break and to extend it from 14 to 21 days is good because I would have had difficulty putting everyone to telework. The factory of Hinwil will be closed from March 23 to April 13. 

Bringing forward the summer shutdown was not the only decision of the week, the other being the postponement to 2022 of the new technical regulations. A good thing ? 

Essential ! Between the inevitable reduction in our “FOM” income and the difficulties that our sponsors will have to face in the coming months, we will end up with 15/20% less financial income while costs will soar. Multiplying the “triplets” (three Grands Prix in three weeks. Editor’s note) will require thehiring staff to respond to the accelerated pace of the races and we will be forced to launch into production a whole bunch of parts – front wing, flat bottoms, etc. – which we may not use but which we will need just in case.

Yesterday's meeting was not the most peaceful because it was necessary to respond to the concerns of some but, in the end, common sense prevailed. The idea is that we at least freeze the monocoque, the engine and other elements still to be defined such as the hub carriers and others. There was no point in deciding everything yesterday. Equally important was to keep the entry into force of the “capped budget” on January 1, 2021. This will allow us a slightly softer landing when the epidemic subsides and prevent the largest structures from spending reckless amounts on their 2022 car. 

When do you think the championship could resume?

Chase Carey talks about Baku but, given the progress of the epidemic, where will Azerbaijan be in June? And what can we say about the situation of promoters who find themselves with a ticket office at a standstill ! To put a calendar back together there still need to be Grands Prix. When the pandemic ends, it will be a crisis everywhere and I am afraid that Monaco is not the only cancellation. It is a second effect that F1 has underestimated until now and that she is starting to realize.  

Are F1 and motorsport experiencing the worst crisis in their history?

In more than thirty years of career, I have had to face the consequences and uncertainties linked to the Gulf War in 1990, September 11, 2001, Sars in 2003, the subprime crisis in 2007-2008, etc. But there, from China to the Americas via Europe, everyone is affected, as are all sectors of activity. Confinement, only the oldest had known it during the Second World War. The times ahead are going to be difficult. There will be a before and after COVID-19, at the level of our priorities. And II'm not sure that motorsport is going to be one of them.