Williams: The Massa/Bottas Case Divides the Former Members

The reactions surrounding the incident between Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas at the Malaysian Grand Prix are abundant, with some former drivers not hesitating to take sides in this internal struggle. Thus, the Brazilian, at the end of the race, decided not to comply when his team asked him to let the Finn pass.

Interviewed for Austrian television Servus TV, Karl Wendlinger and Hans-Joachim Stuck, both former Formula 1 drivers, sided with the British team: « As a team manager, I wouldn’t be happy with him. The reason wasn’t just that they wanted Bottas ahead of Massa. Fresher tires gave him a better chance to overtake Button. That would have given them more points, which can be extremely important at the end of the season, Wendlinger stated.

The Austrian was a Formula 1 driver from 1991 to 1995, mainly with Sauber, his career in the top discipline being primarily marked by his terrible accident during the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix weekend—which followed the Imola Grand Prix where his compatriot Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were killed—leaving him in a coma for three weeks. After a brief return to F1, he continued his career in Endurance and Grand Touring.

Hans-Joachim Stuck, on his side, was a driver between 1974 and 1979, notably with March and Brabham, securing two podiums. He believes that directives should be followed: In my long career, I have been on both sides: benefiting from orders or being the guy who has to stay behind the other. But I always followed them. If he were at the head of Williams, what would be his feeling? I would not be happy. He is an employee of the team and, quite simply, he must follow instructions.

On the other hand, Felipe Massa received support from a glorious former driver, four-time Formula 1 world vice-champion and winner of 16 Grand Prix between 1951 and 1961, Stirling Moss, who, when asked if he would have obeyed in similar circumstances, clearly answered: « No chance. »

The Briton added: « If it is not written in the contract that you must let your teammate pass, you fight against him like anyone else on the track – and if it is in the contract, I would not want to sign it. I made only one exception for one person and it was for Fangio, out of respect. »

Moss concluded: « There might be other reasons later in the season if one [of the two] has a chance to win the title, but this was the second race! In his place, I would have done exactly the same as Massa. »