Frederic Vasseur reveals ‘idiotic’ WhatsApp message Toto Wolff sent him after US Grand Prix victory

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Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur couldn’t have asked for a better result at the United States Grand Prix.

There were signs that Ferrari were onto a winner in the Sprint Race, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz looking very quick even if they couldn’t close the gap to eventual race winner Max Verstappen after being frustrated in a battle with Lando Norris.

It looked like everything was going to go against them during the United States Grand Prix weekend when their final runs were ruined by George Russell’s crash in Q3.

Leclerc was furious after missing out on a chance to take pole position, but he would have been delighted after the first corner in Austin.

Verstappen and Norris ran wide and the Monegasque driver went from fourth to first and that was the last time anyone in the race saw him as he comfortably drove off into the distance.

Martin Brundle even said he felt sorry for Leclerc because he barely got the credit he deserved throughout the race.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Sainz came home to finish behind his teammate and matched his pace throughout the race, giving Ferrari’s outside hopes of winning the Constructors’ Championship a much-needed boost.

Frederic Vasseur was speaking to the F1 Nation Podcast about Ferrari’s triumph before he was interrupted by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

The pair have a brilliant relationship, and Wolff shared the hilarious message he sent in the team principal’s WhatsApp chat after the race which Vasseur very much took in his stride.

Frederic Vasseur reveals Toto Wolff WhatsApp message after United States Grand Prix victory

While discussing the race, Vasseur was interrupted by Wolff who said: “He’s so good. I said, I’m inspired by Fred and the Ferrari team and his performances. I really am.”

Vasseur replied: “He told me for once you don’t look like an idiot or something like this in the WhatsApp [chat], no?”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Wolff then corrected him and added: “I said you still look idiotic, but you’re not idiotic!

“It’s so good how you recovered from before the summer to being right dominant now. We’re looking at it with admiration.

“I don’t want to give you a kiss then they would know!”

Ferrari may have installed ‘creative’ updates ahead of the US Grand Prix to achieve victory

All four of the leading teams in F1 would have had aspirations to be on the top step of the podium in Austin.

There were some promising signs from Mercedes on Friday but as has been the case all too often this season, their performance was too inconsistent to challenge for victory.

The Circuit of the Americas didn’t lend itself to McLaren’s strengths although Norris would have been frustrated that he couldn’t convert his pole position into at least a podium.

Red Bull delivered a crucial update in Austin, and while it helped Verstappen take strides forward, Sergio Perez’s fans weren’t happy that he didn’t have the same car as his teammate.

However, it was Ferrari who took the biggest step forward despite not officially declaring any updates to their car.

Vasseur admitted Ferrari were creative with the steps they took and that potentially included adding new pieces to the SF24 that didn’t need to be announced by the FIA.

All eyes now turn to Mexico City and whether Ferrari can continue their strong start to the penultimate triple header of the season.