Vasseur: "The coin seemingly always lands the right way for Mercedes' after Russell's pole
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur argues that double yellow flags should have been shown immediately following Max Verstappen’s crash during the closing stages of Austrian GP qualifying. The Frenchman suggested the initial flagging procedure should be stricter, believing the incident warranted an instant double yellow rather than the sequence that ultimately unfolded.
Speaking to Sky F1 Italy, Vasseur questioned whether displaying only a single yellow flag after Verstappen’s crash had been the correct decision. He pointed out that the Medical Car was even deployed, arguing that securing pole position under yellow flag conditions felt unusual. He also acknowledged that race control had access to the necessary data and had reached its conclusion accordingly.
The Ferrari team principal argued that incidents involving a car in the barriers should, in certain circumstances, automatically result in double yellow flags. Vasseur said Formula 1 cannot continue to emphasise safety while penalising drivers for slowing too much in free practice, yet still allow them to keep pushing in situations like the one seen during the closing stages of qualifying.
“Only a single yellow flag was shown, and you can discuss whether that was the right choice in that situation. Even the Medical Car had to be deployed, but it is clear that under a yellow flag you have to reduce speed by around 5% in the relevant sector, and we do not have access to the data. Race control decided that further action was needed, so it is what it is. Of course, taking pole position under yellow flags is a bit strange, but it is what it is.
Photo: Race Pictures
“When there is a car in the wall, in my opinion, in certain circumstances there should be double yellow flags. I have my own view on that, but you cannot keep talking about safety and then punish drivers if they go a little slower in free practice, while allowing drivers to keep pushing in situations like this.”
Finally, Vasseur admitted Ferrari had often found itself on the wrong side of fine margins this season, while Mercedes had benefited from them. Still, he chose not to dwell on Russell’s pole lap, insisting his focus was already on Sunday’s race, the Frenchman remarked that it often felt as though fortune consistently smiled on Mercedes.
“This year, things are going in the wrong direction for us and the right direction for Mercedes, but we keep fighting. I do not want to waste energy on controversy because I prefer to focus on tomorrow’s race, but you are right: very often it seems the coin always lands the right way for Mercedes.”
McLaren label Russell’s yellow flag pole lap ‘a case on the edge’
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella offered his view on the yellow flag incident at the end of Austrian GP qualifying and Russell’s pole-winning lap. While accepting the stewards’ verdict, the Italian suggested the incident highlighted how finely balanced such situations can be.
Speaking to GPblog among other media after the session, Stella explained that the GPS traces showed Russell had clearly lifted off the throttle before Turn 9, complying with the yellow flag procedure while limiting the amount of time lost. He noted that determining whether such an action is sufficient ultimately falls to the stewards’ interpretation of the regulations.
Photo: Race Pictures
Stella also underlined that Formula 1 drivers are capable of executing these situations with remarkable precision, carrying out the minimum action required while preserving as much lap time as possible. Although he described Russell’s lap as being on the edge of what the rules are intended to achieve, he made it clear he had no issue with the stewards’ decision to allow the pole position to stand.
