Nov.11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has rejected the notion that Charlie Whiting’s unusual appearance during the drivers press conference in Brazil was good for clarity.
With confusion abounding after controversial manoeuvres and penalties in Mexico two weeks ago, the FIA broke protocol to have F1 race director Whiting sit in as the international press met with drivers on Thursday.
But Toro Rosso’s Sainz told the Spanish media: “I’d prefer if Whiting was not at the press conference.
“Do you think my uncle or grandfather understood the great detail of why Verstappen was punished but not Hamilton?
“F1 is too complex today and to get the point of Whiting having to go to the press conference is not something we should have to reach,” Sainz added.
Sainz’s criticism of the complexity of F1 rules bureaucracy today came as Ferrari officially urged the Mexican grand prix stewards to “review their decision” of 11 days ago to take away Sebastian Vettel’s podium.
“In light of its importance as a precedent for the future, and in order to provide clarity in the application of the rules in future events, Scuderia Ferrari believes that the decision should be reconsidered by the stewards,” the team said.
However, while Whiting on Thursday addressed the Hamilton, Verstappen and Vettel incidents of Mexico, Fernando Alonso thinks the F1 official was there for a different reason.
“I do not think Charlie went to the press conference for what happened with Hamilton and Verstappen,” said the Spaniard, “but for something much more serious that happened in Mexico.
“I have nothing to comment,” Alonso added.
The Spanish press speculated that Alonso was referring to Vettel’s verbal tirade against Whiting on the radio.