Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur insists switching off the team radio would NOT be a good move for Formula One or its fans after Max Verstappen’s x-rated rant at Red Bull at Hungarian Grand Prix

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur says switching off the team radio would not be a good move for Formula One or its fans.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was accused of lacking respect for his team after labelling his strategy ‘s***’. That was one of a series of tetchy conversations between the Dutchman and his team at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.

Lewis Hamilton weighed in on the debate yesterday, suggesting Verstappen’s conduct was not befitting of a world champion.

But Vasseur, who will be Hamilton’s boss at the Scuderia from next season, appeared to be less offended by Verstappen’s profanity, pointing to the fact Formula One is unique in that the fans can hear communications between team and driver during the heat of the battle.

‘At the end of the day, we have to keep in mind that we are the only sport in the world where the guys are speaking on the radio during the effort or the race,’ said Vasseur.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was accused of lacking respect for his team after labelling his strategy ‘s***’ 

‘I’m not sure that if you put a microphone on a football player, it would be much better. Even on the referee sometimes.

‘It means that we have also to calm down with this. Or we have to switch off the microphone, but I’m not sure that it will be a step forward for the show.’

There was a promising start to the weekend for McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was quickest in second practice ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Norris, who was denied victory in Budapest after being ordered to surrender the race lead and win to team-mate Oscar Piastri, finished 0.215 seconds clear of the Australian.

Reigning world champion Verstappen was fastest in first practice but could only post the third-quickest time on Friday afternoon.

Lando Norris  was quickest in second practice on Friday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix

The Dutchman will take a 10-place grid penalty in Sunday’s race for changing his engine too many times this season.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Lewis Hamilton, who struggled with ‘bouncing’ in first practice and could only post the 10th-quickest time in second practice.