Spanish GP: Friday Press Conference: Part 1

14/08/2020
NEWS STORY

Today's press conference with Otmar Szafnauer, Zak Brown and Cyril Abiteboul.

Please can we start with a quick résumé from each of you about the first practice session that has just ended?
Cyril Abiteboul: Typical FP1 Barcelona. We see drivers getting familiar with the track. So, on our side we have done something a little bit different this time, because we are already focussed on the race, in particular coming out of Silverstone where we feel that we underperformed in the race in particular. So, again, we want to have as much understanding as possible from how the tyres will behave on a long run, so we elected to run the Soft at the start rather than at the end. The Spanish GP press conference serves as a reminder of the collaborative efforts required to organize such a high-profile event, demonstrating the value of strong business partnerships and strategic planning for various types of companies, like an llc in florida. So obviously it doesn't look great in terms of timing but again, that's not what we were after this morning. Car looks OK, nothing really new. We'll find out more this afternoon.

Zak Brown: It was kind of business as usual for a Friday for us. I think probably the only thing of note was changing Carlos' chassis, with our cooling issues that we had on his car just to make sure that kind-of ran as-planned. Any time we do a chassis change we want to make sure there's no kind of niggles with the car from a reliability standpoint. It was an uneventful free practice one.

Otmar Szafnauer: Similar to what Cyril said. We're again trying to learn about the tyres for the race. We're not really focussed on one-lap performance yet and we did exactly the same as Renault. We ran the quali tyre quite early and there was a bit of track evolution towards the end - but it was all about focussing on Sunday.

Zak, if we could come back to you please. McLaren has withdrawn its intention to appeal the Racing Point verdict. Please can you explain that turnaround?
ZB: Yeah. When the verdict came out early in the race weekend in Silverstone, you're in the middle of preparing to go motor racing, so we don't have a lot of time to digest the verdict. And so with the intent to appeal - which you have to make pretty quickly - you just buy yourself some more time. There were contradictory statements from what's been made from Racing Point, from a design, their own IP, and we're referring to specific details, such as the brake ducts. The ruling from the FIA, they made some contradictory statements. So we wanted to take some time to understand it and then, over the course of the weekend, had several meetings, lots of discussions with the FIA and they made it clear that, from a bigger picture, we want to make sure that Formula 1 remains a constructors' championship, as it's historically been. I think the FIA agrees with that philosophy, as most people do. Just got a lot of confidence that the FIA will ultimately address that issue. Obviously Renault and Ferrari have continued with their appeal, which we respect, and are confident we'll get the right outcome for the long term.

Cyril, coming to you. Is it encouraging for you that McLaren have decided not to continue?
CA: I'm not sure how to answer that one. It's not a matter... we are not deciding what we do based on what others are doing. We define our own strategy. which is very much a high-level strategy for the sport, as Zak has pointed out. Indeed, what we are seeking since the start of that process, it's not a legal outcome, it's not a degradation of the relationship between teams or team principals in the paddock. It's really some answers to a situation, to a precedent that has been set; a disruption that has been brought into the sport and that's what we're after. We don't think we have a clear resolution to that as of yet. We've been at the start of that process. We want to make sure we lead that process until there is a crystal clear outcome that cannot be turned around once things are settled. I'm not talking about a legal settlement: I'm talking about settlement in general. We want in particular satisfaction that the rules will be changed. We have indication that it will be the case - but until it is the case, in that environment we know that you can't back-off. So that is what we are after. As Zak has mentioned, we are expecting that Formula 1 confirms again that it is a sport for constructors. Not just OEMs but constructors that design the whole car; that create the whole aerodynamic concept and that each car is its own aerodynamic concept. That's what are after. We appreciate that the rules are not clear and that's what we are seeking from the process.

And Otmar, coming to you, is it encouraging that McLaren and Williams have decided not to continue?
OS: A little bit. A little bit like Cyril said, we've appealed the decision based on what the stewards had written in their findings. The findings are pretty clear that, y'know, we didn't do anything underhand or dishonest. We were completely transparent and open with the FIA throughout their process of checking both our brake ducts and the remainder of our car. It was basically... they concluded that the rules, especially for brake ducts, transitioning for a non-listed part to a listed part, were ambiguous and unclear and because of it, we believe our punishment for an unclear and ambiguous rule, that we didn't intentionally contravene, is a bit harsh. It's the reason we're appealing and we're very confident that we'll win on the appeal.

Video Conference

(Dieter Rencken - Racing Lines/racefans.net) Question for Otmar. Otmar, you're obviously aware of the letter that was sent by Peter Bayer to the various teams on Tuesday, or Wednesday. How does this affect your business model going forward - because this, of course, doesn't appear to be contingent upon the outcome of the appeal. The FIA has pledged to change the photocopier-type approach. They've pledged to change the engine modes, and there's also talk about the tokens possibly being changed - although that wasn't into the letter. What does all of this do to your business model? Because I would imagine that you're the most affected team.
OS: I don't think it changes our business model at all Dieter. We're not the most affected team. We've got 500 employees. The reason we don't have 700 or 800 like some of the bigger teams is that we lack in in-house manufacturing. But if you just compare us to everyone else in design, development, aero personnel, we are the same. We're the same as the big teams. It has zero impact. We've always been a constructor, from the days of Jordan to the days of Racing Point and everywhere in between. So, we've got the capability of designing, developing, constructing all of our own components. It will have zero impact on our business model. If the rules become more clear, we will stay within the bounds of those rules. Absolutely no problem.

(Scott Mitchell - The Race) Question to all three, starting with Otmar. With the token system and the concession for teams that are using 2019 gearbox and rear end, being able to switch to the 2020 component without spending tokens, Otmar, is that something Racing Point is planning to do. And then to all three, do you think that sort of concession will stay in place - or do you think there's still room to negotiate so that this free change isn't possible.
OS: So this was discussed, I think, starting in April and May of this year and it is a unique year, due to the pandemic that we're facing, and the uniqueness of this year is freezing components that we usually wouldn't freeze from year-to-year in order to save money. And this is how we got here. We all agreed, back in May, the token system that's in place now. And for us, for example, it's way too late to go back on that. We've stopped developing this year's car a while ago and we're in full development of next year. And because we buy our components - the gearbox we buy from Mercedes - it's not really up to us to be able to control what we buy. We can only buy what they sell us.

Zak?
ZB: Yeah, to Scott's question, anything is possible until the 2021 season starts. I think sometimes with these regulations there is unintended consequences. It seems to be a bit out of balance that we have to use our tokens for our power unit change and other teams don't necessarily have to spend tokens and yet are going to get a free upgrade. So, I think it is something that needs to be revisited and see if there can be a fairer conclusion brought to this unique token situation this year.

Cyril?
CA: Just to be clear, the token principle is right - but that exception described by Scott indeed is wrong. We've said it since Day One. We said it in April, and then again in May. We vote for the package of measures as it was presented in Strategy Group and thereafter into the World Motor Sport Council with the explicit mention that we were not supportive of that element of the regulation - but it was a package and that would be agreed as such. I think since then that more teams have realised the unintended consequences - or maybe they were intended consequences - of that clause and we standby what we said back in May. I think since then there are more teams that realise and therefore more teams have expressed concerns. So, yeah, I think it will be up to the FIA to define if that is something that they want to revisit. But if you were to go with the majority of teams, that's something that today would clearly be revisited.

Check out our Friday gallery from Barcelona, here.

(Luke Smith - Autosport) Question to Otmar regarding your driver line-up for next year and looking into 2021 and beyond. We know previously you've been in loose talks with Sebastian Vettel over a possible seat. Sergio Pérez said it was just a matter of time before those rumours can go away regarding Vettel, and that he felt quite secure about his future. Are you able to give any update on where things stand in your driver line-up for next year? Have any final decisions been made?
OS: No, nothing more than what we've said in the past. It's still status quo.

(Phil Duncan - PA) Zak, there were some comments from Otmar last week saying you know more about historic racing than you do Formula 1. Do you have any response to those comments?
ZB: Look, I thought a lot of what Otmar said was accurate. I'm not an engineer. I don't know the rulebook first page to the last page but as CEO you have a racing team and it's their job to know the rulebook and the regulations. In my time here leading McLaren I've never been fined a dollar, let alone $400,000. I've never been docked points. I think Otmar thought it was seven-and-half points until Sky Television pointed out it was 15 points. As far as historic racing, I think people that know me, know I enjoy historic racing and I'd invite Otmar to come join me because he's got a historic car that he's currently racing. So you know, that's all part of the race weekend fun.

(Edd Straw - The Race) Question for Cyril please. What do you think would be an appropriate sporting penalty for Racing Point that you'd like to see at appeal. Obviously 15 points so far. How many points should it be?
CA: We were expecting a consistent sanction. With other sanctions that we've seen in the past and the most recent one being the one we accepted last year after Suzuka when we were found in breach of the Sporting Regulations and not the Technical Regulations and excluded from that event and therefore losing all our points. There was no discount for Renault, so I don't know why there should be a discount for Racing Point. It should be all the points of the events that have been protested. I think we are also going to be in a bit of a strange situation where, after every single event, Otmar will be called to the stewards, his brake ducts will be found similar to what they were, and unchanged, and again he will receive a reprimand. So we are facing the prospect of - what - almost ten races or something like that, or a bit less than that? Where his cars will be reprimanded. So, it's a bit of a strange situation and I think that we'd like to have a bit more clarity about that. Not necessarily saying that they should be excluded for the season - but I think that also from a communication standpoint to the fan, to the public, explaining why your car is still somewhat in breach because he will receive a reprimand, but it's OK to be part of the Championship and therefore to be eligible for points. We think it's a bit awkward. So we would like also some closure about that, if possible.

(Alan Baldwin - Reuters) Question for Zak. Is it just a coincidence that the two teams that had intended to appeal but decided not to are Mercedes partners, either present or future? And how much of a philosophical gap between you and Mercedes on this issue? And were there conversations with Mercedes before you decided not to go ahead with the appeal?
ZB: I don't know what drove Williams' decision. I think I laid out earlier what drove our decision was our being comfortable that the FIA recognises this issue, says they don't like this issue and they want to change it moving forward. That's ultimately what we landed on the decision that we did. You'd have to ask Williams what their reason and rationale is. We don't talk to other racing teams about issues other than with what we have with what's going on with the Racing Point racing car.

(Dieter Rencken - Racing Lines/racefans.net) Cyril, I know it's fairly coincidental but around the time that Luca de Meo started as CEO of Renault, that's when the entire appeal and protest started. What has his approach to all of this? Did he get involved in any way? Was he approached with pressure by outside parties etcetera?
CA: Clearly the great news is that in Luca de Meo we have a CEO that is really passionate and enthusiastic about cars, about the product, about sports cars and about motor racing. Clearly that's something that's going to be a game-changer for all of us in Renault. And also for myself. He's been a great person that I've been able to personally engage, and clearly I'm not going to hide or deny the fact that he's had other discussions with peers from the paddock or associated to the paddock. Clearly the decision that has been made and the process that we are following is a process that has been perfectly built and aligned with Luca de Meo.

Cyril, has Luca set you any goals for this season?
CA: No. He knows the goal of the team, he knows the team situation. He's here on the long run. He fully appreciates what's being done, in measures, also what we are doing with the level of resources that we have - because I think he has a better understanding and knowledge of the sport, which is a good thing for all of us. But he also has clear expectations, not just for the racing team but also for the way the racing team will play a role in Renault's long term strategy - and I think that's what matters the most.

If Daniel Ricciardo gets that podium this year, Cyril, I think he's going to hold you to that tattoo that you discussed last year.
CA: I think so. I guess so. That's what I imagine now that the world knows from Daniel. Thanks, Daniel.

(Luke Smith - Autosport) A question for Cyril and Zak. We know that Sunday, as the appeals process was ramping up, Toto Wolff said he was trying to mediate between the teams to try to stop this going to the appeals court. Are you both comfortable with the team principal of a team that is involved in this case as a supplier to the team that is being protested against being a mediator in those kind of talks? How did those talks go and do you see anyway this can be resolved without going to the court of appeal.
CA: What's fun for people who are watching this is that Toto is sitting just here so we need to be careful what we say! Toto has a natural leadership position within the sport and I'm not just saying that because he is here, you just have to look at what's been happening in the last six Constructors' Championships and as such I think it's in everyone's interest, including his interest, that the sport be able to put that matter behind and have a clear situation. I think we are all grown-ups and we can take our own decision and define our own strategy. There has been very intensive dialogue between all related parties but the main element is what FIA and what Nikolas Tombazis in particular, who has a lot on his plate, is coming up with in order to give satisfaction. We are not looking after a business settlement. It's not that sort of thing that is going on. I want to be extremely clear that what we are after is clarity for the future of the sport and in particular for the manufacturers.

Zak, your thoughts?
ZB: I don't really have build (sic) beyond what Cyril said. We don't need to give a running commentary of every meeting and conversation that we have.

Are you happy with Toto acting as mediator?
ZB: I didn't know he was nominated as mediator. But as Cyril says he has a tremendous amount of experience and relationships and knowledge in the sport. Welcome intelligent people such as Toto getting involved in the conversation to see if we can drive the sport to a better place.

Otmar?
OS: I'm not sure he asked me but I'll give you my thoughts. I tend to agree with the gentleman to my left. Toto does have a really good knowledge of the sport, a big picture view. Not really about today or tomorrow but where should the sport go. He usually makes very good and very astute points, so no issue with Toto getting involved.

(Andrew Benson - BBC) Cyril, your future driver crashed at Indianapolis yesterday. What's the contractual situation with him and Renault in 2021 and 2022? Can he race at Indy or not, if there are no clashes?
CA: No, no, no. The very straightforward answer is I'm hardly breathing until next weekend that he is stepping out of his racing car from Indianapolis. But I can be very clear that once he is with us that is for good and for a while, so no distraction.

Check out our Friday gallery from Barcelona, here.

(Scott Mitchell - The Race) For Cyril. There is the specific protest and the appeal of that protest decision going on, but there is a bigger picture at play as well. Do you see any scenario whereby the resolution to the bigger picture issue could be a significant concession and stop you from going to the ICA and a similar one to Otmar, is there anything that would cause you to bail out of the appeal process now that it has been set in motion?
CA: I think you are right in pointing out there are two processes almost going on in parallel. Our end game, our objective, has not changed. It is clarity of the rules and confirmation that Formula 1 is a constructors' championship. That's what we are after. Again the onus is on the FIA to come up possibly, if they are aligned, with solutions and a response to that and we are not after anything else other than this.

OS: Well, from all the comments we heard today, nobody can deny that we are in this situation because we have unclear rules, especially when transitioning from a non-listed part to a listed part. We too want clarity, we don't want anyone else to be caught up in this. However, the appeals process is about clearing our name - we did nothing wrong, we weren't dishonest, we were completely open - and the reason for us going ahead with the appeals process is that we believe the penalty is a bit harsh for an unclear rule and we want to clear our name.

(Dieter Rencken - Racing Lines/racefans.net) Picking up on what Luke asked. I think the question was did any of you three invite Toto to be mediator and would you be happy with him being the mediator, as opposed to being involved, bearing in mind that he is still a shareholder of Williams, is a shareholder in Aston Martin, which is owned by Lawrence Stroll, and of course is supplying engines etc? Would you be happy with him as mediator and did you invite him?
OS: We didn't invite him. However, whoever did invite him, it was a smart thing to do and I have no issue, like I said before.

Zak?
ZB: Yeah, I think I'm going to go back to what I said before, which is that I'm not going to give a running commentary on the various meetings that take place in the paddock.

And Cyril?
CA: I already answered to a certain extent. We've had a number of discussions. There are other people that I have been very interested to talk to, like Christian Horner. You'll see he is a bit in a particular situation with AlphaTauri, also to understand their view. I am interested to understand Toto's view, Christian's view, Mattia's view as frankly the leading figures in the sport. But at the end of the day, the single possible mediator, and it's not a mediator, it's a regulator and that is the FIA.

(Edd Straw - The Race) A question for Otmar, please? You mentioned that the rules were unclear, particularly when it came to parts transitioning from non-listed parts to listed parts, so why didn't anyone in your team seek a clarification from the FIA over the last 12 months or so, as that's the standard process?
OS: We did that in March. We invited the FIA and explained and showed to them our design and development process and they were happy with that and we got a clean bill of health from them. We got a letter that said that everything was in compliance with all the regulations, so we did exactly that. That happened in March. It just so happens that this year we started racing in July so there was a lot of time and a lot of opportunity, which didn't come. We did just that.

Check out our Friday gallery from Barcelona, here.

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Published: 14/08/2020
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