Pascal Wehrlein withdrew from the Australian Grand Prix because he deemed himself unfit to race in the season opener, the decision triggered a great deal of criticism which has shocked team chief Monisha Kaltenborn.
Kaltenborn told media, “He just needs time I think it is really awful how people think they have any sort of competence to say anything about him.”
“They just have their weird views from wherever they come and have no authority at all to judge over anyone. I think it is rather appalling how people think they can judge this and they should look at themselves first.”
“It takes a lot for someone so ambitious to openly admit and say: Guys, in these circumstances, I cannot cover the entire race distance.”
“So one should rather appreciate that kind of openness and honesty, which is not easy to maintain with the kind of pressure these guys have,” added the Sauber team boss.
Wehrlein’s injury stems from his crash during the ROC event in January. He was forced to miss out on the first pre-season tests in Barcelona, but did do two days in the car during the second test stanza at the same venue.
He did FP1 and FP2 in Melbourne, completing a total of 52 laps but in both sessions nearly half a second slower than his Sauber teammate Marcus Ericsson.
Sauber appointed Ferrari reserve Antonio Giovinazzi to replace Wehrlein, as he did for the first test in Spain, and the young Italian gave a good account of himself by finishing 12th in the race.
Wehrlein is expected to be back in action for the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, with Kaltenborn explaining, “The focus is now on his fitness level, and in such a situation we do not take any unnecessary risks. Pascal will be in China as planned.”
Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247
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