Sebastian Vettel left the drivers' meeting before the Austrian GP because he disagreed with the topics discussed, and Mick Schumacher explained the reasons behind the German's decision
The traditional Formula One drivers' meeting - which takes place every Friday - ended in a different way last weekend in Austria. Unhappy with the repetition of the debates around track limits and pit-lane entry, Sebastian Vettel believed that other issues should have more relevance and simply left the meeting led by race director Niels Wittich. Mick Schumacher, who was also present at the moment, came out in defense of the four-time world champion.
According to Schumacher, the meeting "was going around in circles", with the same topics being discussed, and Vettel simply lost his temper. The German driver was even fined €25,000 for his 'defiance'.
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"I just felt that we were going in circles with some of the things that were being discussed," Schumacher stated. "It was taking more time than necessary. I completely understand 'Seb's' [Vettel] attitude, and I think there were several other drivers who also felt the need to leave the meeting," he opined.
Daniel Ricciardo was another to defend Vettel's stance, although he avoided "speaking for the German. The Australian pointed out that the drivers usually have tasks to be done, as in the engineering part of the car, and are uncomfortable wasting time on issues that have already been discussed more than once.
"I don't want to speak for 'Seb,' but sometimes we have engineering work to do," he pointed out. "So I think if sometimes you're going back and forth [on the same subject] and there's always a conversation that gets long without a definitive answer, then it's normal for some to think, 'I have to go. Obviously, 'Seb' was a little frustrated about it and has strong feelings about it," he pointed out.
The talk about track limits, although repetitive, apparently did not cause any results in the race. Throughout the race, 43 warnings were handed out to drivers, with punishments handed out to Vettel, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, and Guanyu Zhou. Current champion Max Verstappen was highly critical of the debate surrounding the issue.
Formula 1 drivers and teams will start revving their engines again next week, with the French GP in Paul Ricard, scheduled to take place between July 22 and 24.