Liberty's latest decisions won't turn F1 upside down - Vasseur

Sauber's Fred Vasseur believes the changes introduced into Formula 1 this year won't change the action fans will see on the race track.

It's been said that the mandatory presence of the Halo is a direct hit to the sport's DNA, while Liberty Media's decision to ban grid girls is another controversial blow to F1's traditions.

Vasseur refutes however claims that the sport is on the verge of an ugly season.

"They are two different things," Vasseur told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

"The grid girls are replaced by grid kids and I like that," the Frenchman said.

• Sauber's Vasseur: Weak engine an excuse for aero deficit in 2017

"And Halo is about safety, and in a serious accident we will be very grateful for it."

"Nothing has changed on the track so far. Only in marketing. Even the new start times will not turn F1 upside down."

As for the Swiss team he leads, Vasseur said the Hinwil factory is working overtime to put its 2018 car together ahead of the first test in just under three weeks.

"We will be faster, but in 2017 we were far behind," said the Sauber boss.

"We want to fight in the midfield but we must not forget that this is a long-term project."

Vasseur revealed that 50 new staff are being added to the workforce of 420, amid great optimism about the new title sponsorship by Ferrari-linked Alfa Romeo.

"They identify with us and want to keep Sauber as a brand," he said.

"It is probably the first time since the BMW time that Sauber has such a good opportunity."

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