Alonso says team orders row is in the past

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 09:17 PM

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has tried to consign Formula One's 'team orders' controversy to the past and said on Thursday the title would be in no way diminished if he won it.

Asked at his team's home Italian Grand Prix whether he felt any relief the sport's governing body had decided to impose no further punishment on Ferrari, the Spaniard shrugged his shoulders.

"It's something that is the past for us and we need to concentrate on Monza," said the double world champion. "It's something we have talked about already too much.

"I am happy to see the FIA (International Automobile Federation) will go deep into the rules and try to clarify (them).

"There is no special feeling, nothing to say," added Alonso.

"The decision was something we were waiting for and were ready to respect, whatever it was ... we respect the decision, we keep everything as it was, points etc, so nothing changed for us."

Ferrari were fined $100,000 by stewards at Hockenheim in July for ordering Brazilian Felipe Massa to let team mate Alonso overtake and win the German Grand Prix in a one-two finish.

FIA COUNCIL

The FIA's world motor sport council decided at a hearing in Paris on Wednesday to impose no further sanctions on the team but to review the rule that bars the use of such orders.

The decision kept Alonso's title hopes alive, although he is 41 points adrift of McLaren's overall leader Lewis Hamilton with six races, or 150 points, remaining.

Asked whether he would consider the title to be on a par with his other two if he won it this season, Alonso did not hesitate: "Yes," he replied. "You win the title, you win the title."

Asked later for his definition of a worthy world champion, and the ingredients that made one, Alonso smiled at the same old question served up in a different way.

"Whoever is first at the end, it is because he had more points than the others," he said. "It happens in all sports and this is the way it was in the history of Formula One and football, in Premier League, in tennis as well.

"I am sure you are talking about the decision of yesterday, but you have to respect it, guys, and be calm. Respect everything as we do and don't worry."

Source: Web Search