BLICK reporter Roger Benoit visited Alfa-Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur for an exclusive interview:
You and your team actually received the Christmas present on November 17 – with the 22 points in Brazil …
Frédéric Vasseur: “That’s how you can see it. It was a big day for the team. But we had missed so many good opportunities before. And then everything was just right – and luck was on our side. However, we have to stay on the ground of reality. We have now given ourselves gifts for the festive season.”
How did technical director Simone Resta’s departure affect you in the middle of the season?
“Ferrari wanted him back. And he was primarily concerned with the development of the 2020 car. We could handle it.”
Next year we have 22 races for the first time. Good?
“It’s getting more and more difficult for the smaller teams. We were already at the limit. Now, above all, we have to protect the mechanics who work in shifts. It is not healthy for anyone.”
When asked which drivers he would like to work with, Frederic Vasseur replied: “What good is it if I now name the two best drivers for you? After three races with us they would be so frustrated that they would stop! For our goals, that would be 6th or 7th place in 2020, we need two drivers who also go well together on this path.”
How about Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen? “Antonio improved after the summer break, and Kimi can drive for us as long as he wants.” Together they scored 57 championship points. The new goal? Vasseur: “It is not the points that count. It’s only the championship rankings at the end! So much better than 8th place.”
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