Vettel: “Don’t put too much emphasis on radio messages! »

There will be no “radiogate” between Sebastian Vettel et Charles Leclerc. The German driver confirmed this this afternoon in the Sochi paddock when asked to comment messages of frustration, even angry, addressed by his teammate to the team during the last Singapore GP. Propelled to the lead by an “undercut” that was effective to say the least, he passed the Monegasque, then solid leader of the Grand Prix.

 

“I probably wouldn't have acted differently if I had been in his place., he says frankly. He wanted to win, and he became frustrated when he saw that he was second. These emotions overwhelm you when you fly. If that wasn't the case, that would mean you don't care. Also, I don't think we should overinterpret all his radio messages. We drive when we turn on the radio, and if footballers had to do the same thing when they play, or even golfers, we would probably be surprised at what is said. You don't always have to look for reasons for everything! »

 

It is therefore without the slightest ulterior motive that the Franco-German couple approaches the Russian round of the world championship where everything seems possible for a Team capable of imposing itself, at least on paper. 

 

“Singapore certainly gives us a lot of confidence but we don't win on paper, tempers the four-time world champion. We weren't supposed to be this good, but there are areas where we need to improve further. If we can say that we are going in the right direction, it would be wrong to think that we can win everywhere because we have won on two different types of tracks. Mercedes was in a position to win everywhere this year. The improvements we've made give us more freedom to explore the set-up palettes and respond to the demands of the track, but that doesn't mean we can't understand the car better. »

 

We will know tomorrow at the end of the first day of testing what the reds can hope for from their weekend on the banks of the Wen Black.