Rival teams backed Ferrari in team orders case

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 12:57 AM

Ferrari escaped a points deduction for manipulating July's German Grand Prix because of past inconsistencies in policing the rules and support from rival teams, Formula One's governing body said on Thursday.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) published the reasoning behind its decision to uphold a $100,000 fine for Ferrari while lifting the threat of further punishment for the use of banned 'team orders'.

The move was criticised by some, including Red Bull principal Christian Horner, for setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the season.

The FIA document released at the Italian Grand Prix revealed that Williams and Ferrari-powered Sauber had both written in support of the Italian team.

It also emerged that Brazilian Felipe Massa, who was told to let team mate Fernando Alonso past to win at Hockenheim, had been put at an engine-power disadvantage prior to the incident.

The FIA made clear that it believed Ferrari had carried out an illegal action, despite the Italian team's lawyer Nigel Tozzi seeking to make a distinction between orders and strategy, but felt it could not justly impose a further sanction.

An FIA-appointed reporter had recommended the possible withdrawal of points from both team and drivers, the sanction to be suspended for 2010 and then lifted providing there was no recurrence.

"The judging body of the WMSC (world motor sport council) noted the uncertainty and complexity surrounding the ban on team orders, and the difficulties of detecting and policing," the document said.

"It became common ground during the hearing that the drivers should not be penalised, and with the ambiguities in the rule recognised it would not be appropriate to increase the overall penalty."

SUPPORTING LETTERS

Tozzi pointed out that Frank Williams and Peter Sauber had written letters making the argument that Formula One was a team sport, there was a risk of team mates colliding in such circumstances and the rules needed revising.

Ferrari argued that McLaren had not been punished at the 2008 German Grand Prix when Heikki Kovalainen allowed eventual winner Lewis Hamilton to overtake him with only nine laps remaining.

The team also argued that a message to both McLaren drivers at this year's Turkish Grand Prix to "save fuel" had constituted a coded instruction to maintain their one-two positions.

Massa was told four times over the radio that "Fernando is faster than you" before being asked to confirm he had understood the message. He then slowed and allowed his team mate past.

The FIA said Ferrari's argument that Alonso was quicker did not appear to stand up.

"Ferrari's drivers reduced their engine speed at the request of their respective race engineers," it said. "Then Mr Fernando Alonso increased his engine speed without Mr Felipe Massa's being informed.

"Alonso was therefore benefiting from a definite performance advantage over Mr Felipe Massa in the moments preceding the contentious overtaking."

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