‘The words used weren’t appropriate’
Lotus team principal apologises for outburst of bad language in Indian GP.
“There was a lot of tension, a lot of potential technical problems, and some of the words that flew around were simply not appropriate," says Eric Boullier. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
NEW DEHLI:
Lotus apologised for bad language in a heated exchange with their driver Kimi Raikkonen during Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix.
Trackside operations director Alan Permane was heard on the team radio using a profanity to order the Finn, who had worn tyres and overheating brakes, to move over and let teammate Romain Grosjean through for third place. Raikkonen then replied with some choice words of his own.
“Romain was two seconds per lap faster than Kimi at that time, so it was not even a team order,” said Team Principal Eric Boullier. “With hindsight, this radio message could have been sent in a less emotional way.
“There was a lot of tension, a lot of potential technical problems, and some of the words that flew around were simply not appropriate. I can only apologise for that on behalf of the team. It won’t happen again.”
Grosjean had to go off track to avoid a collision with his teammate as he tried to pass and was critical of him afterwards.
“We could have lost two cars,” he said. “Honestly, it’s not my problem. I overtook him and thankfully we did not lose any points.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2013.
Lotus apologised for bad language in a heated exchange with their driver Kimi Raikkonen during Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix.
Trackside operations director Alan Permane was heard on the team radio using a profanity to order the Finn, who had worn tyres and overheating brakes, to move over and let teammate Romain Grosjean through for third place. Raikkonen then replied with some choice words of his own.
“Romain was two seconds per lap faster than Kimi at that time, so it was not even a team order,” said Team Principal Eric Boullier. “With hindsight, this radio message could have been sent in a less emotional way.
“There was a lot of tension, a lot of potential technical problems, and some of the words that flew around were simply not appropriate. I can only apologise for that on behalf of the team. It won’t happen again.”
Grosjean had to go off track to avoid a collision with his teammate as he tried to pass and was critical of him afterwards.
“We could have lost two cars,” he said. “Honestly, it’s not my problem. I overtook him and thankfully we did not lose any points.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2013.