Fred Vasseur refutes Lewis Hamilton’s remarks over asking Max Verstappen to be ‘politically correct’

Fred Vasseur snubbed Lewis Hamilton to take Max Verstappen's side after the Dutchman faced backlash over his radio rant at Hungarian GP.

Fred Vasseur refutes Lewis Hamilton’s remarks over asking Max Verstappen to be ‘politically correct’

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, Fredric Vassuer (via IMAGO)

During the Hungarian GP, Max Verstappen had a heated exchange of words with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. This was regarding the poor strategy he suggested to the Dutchman which didn’t work and resulted in a crash. Upon which, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton stated the Dutchman should behave like a champion as he’s already one. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur expressed his opinion upon Hamilton’s statement.

Fred Vasseur disagreed with Lewis Hamilton’s comments on Max Verstappen’s behavior at the Hungarian GP. During the press conference before the Belgian GP, Vasseur mentioned that he didn’t feel the need to always be politically correct, implying that sometimes it’s important to speak frankly and honestly. Max Verstappen also had the same response to the Briton on the situation he had faced. He believed being straightforward and truthful is sometimes more valuable than adhering to political correctness. The drivers often express their anger while things don’t fall their way, because driving at 300kmph must be frustrating.

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with Lewis on this one, I don't know if you always have to be politically correct.
Fred Vasseur said, as reported by formula1.nl
YouTube video

Vasseur highlighted the uniqueness of Formula 1, that it is the only sport where drivers are heard as they talk. He explained that in other sports viewers don’t get to listen to drivers or athletes talking to their coaches or strategizing during the event. In Formula 1, however, the radio communications between drivers and their race engineers are broadcasted live. So this communication can be sometimes honest, sometimes not. This highlights the behavior of the driver or the person behind the radio.

FS Video
Ultimately, we mustn't forget that this is the only sport in the world where the participants can be heard continuously during a race.
Fred Vasseur added.
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Fred Vasseur compared the radio situation to other sports. He stated that in football, if the microphones are attached to players’ mouths it would be worse for them and the referee too. He believed it’s important to keep things in perspective when it comes to broadcasting team radio in F1. The communications between drivers and their teams is unique in F1, and while it can sometimes lead to heated or controversial moments, it adds a lot of excitement and thrill for the fans. Vasseur suggested that stopping radio broadcasts would make races less interesting and reduce the excitement that fans enjoy.

If you give a football player a microphone, it won't get much better, Let alone a referee. That's why I think it's important that we keep it normal about this.
Fred Vasseur stated.
Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton
Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Vasseur highlighted that removing the radio broadcast during races can result in decline viewership. This will eventually make the races less exciting for the fans. Because, the radio communications add a lot of drama and insight into what’s happening during the race. Despite the drama, he emphasized discussing that topic with Hamilton later, where the Briton concluded the conversation with a laugh.

Of course, we can just not broadcast the radios, but I think that would make for a lot less spectacle. But I'm happy to talk to Lewis about it.
Fred Vasseur added.

Certainly, Fred Vasseur believes the team radio has been broadcasting for a long time and fans enjoy that. Stopping that would lead to a decline in viewership as it brings a lot of excitement so fans would just lose interest in the sport. Vasseur clearly supported Verstappen’s angry behavior, as he believed any driver would’ve done the same.

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