I’ve always aimed to be balanced and transparent with the drivers since my early days in Formula 1, even back in my time at Williams. I remember as a rookie meeting Alain Prost on the grid before a race, and I asked him, “Why did things go so wrong between you and Senna?” He explained that it was because neither of them really knew where the team stood. Sometimes it felt like you were the favorite, but then, a couple of months later, you’d sense the politics shifting against you. It created an environment where one could feel unwelcome. This conversation shaped my goal of maintaining balance.
It wasn’t easy managing the dynamics between Lewis and Nico Rosberg back in the day. People can have their opinions, but maintaining integrity in this respect is crucial to me, and the drivers recognize that. Kimi has been with us since he was just 11; he has become such a vital part of our team. It’s wonderful to see him now, at a young age, competing for a championship with his remarkable talent. On the other hand, there’s George, who joined us at 17, and I have a lot of feelings—perhaps compassion is the right word—towards him. We share a close bond.
We often spend time off the track with Carmen, George’s fiancée, and Susie. If people could see that we’re traveling together, grabbing coffee at the same spots, hitting the gym, they might understand why it’s frustrating to have those who lack insight into our relationships make wild accusations. But I choose to ignore that nonsense.
What matters is that both George and Kimi are aware of how the team functions, and we strive to provide them with equal opportunities. When it comes to upgrades, it’s a perfect example. We can’t predict which one will perform better, so we’ll make a decision based on exploration. There’s no hidden political agenda behind it. Regarding racing strategies, like the Papaya Rules, we’ve always been upfront that we won’t obstruct one another. We’re not fans of any racing that could jeopardize positions if one driver is close to another, as the faster car behind is always at an advantage, regardless of the circumstances.
Even if the mathematical odds suggest it’s more plausible for Kimi to clinch a championship, we would still extend the same opportunities to George. That’s critical. It’s the ethos and integrity that have guided the team since I joined in 2013, and we intend to adhere to that.
Of course, people can think whatever they want.
