Ferrari fined $100,000 for team orders - GPUpdate.net


Ferrari has been fined $100,000 (£65,000) by Formula 1 governing body the FIA for the use of team orders and bringing the sport into disrepute at Hockenheim on Sunday afternoon. At present, the results of the race remain unchanged although the matter has now been referred to the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

The situation stems back to Lap 48 of the German Grand Prix, when leader Felipe Massa was clearly told by Race Engineer Rob Smedley that second-placed team-mate Fernando Alonso was quicker – the Brazilian was then asked to confirm the message.

A lap after the communication was broadcast on live television worldwide, Massa yielded exiting the hairpin as Alonso took the lead before going on to win.

Ferrari were called to the stewards at approximately 4:30pm local time at Hockenheim, with a decision then being revealed shortly after 6 o’clock.

Team Principal Stefano Domenicali, Team Manager Massimo Rivola and the two drivers were summoned to Race Control, where it is believed the team stated that the message to Massa had been information only, as opposed to a command, with team orders having been banned in the sport since 2003 (following the highly controversial Ferrari place swap in the previous season’s Austrian Grand Prix).

With Smedley having also been broadcast as saying ‘Sorry’ to Massa, stewards confirmed that Article 39.1 of the international sporting code – the ban on team orders – and Article 151c – bringing the sport into disrepute – have both been broken.

The case will also be referred to the WMSC in Paris although for the time being the race result stands, with Alonso having finished just over four seconds ahead.

 

Good.

 

They should be fined more, IMO.

But this is a step in the right direction. I am looking forward to what Montezemolo and his cronies (Domenicali) has to say about this.

 

It's not over yet. They may still be fined more if the WMSC pursues the suggestion.

 

forget fines the race result could be overturned. that was a truly pathetic display, this phenomena needs to be stamped out of the sport.

 

Very true. At this point, I think changing the results would be counterproductive and would set yet another precedence of race fixing. If the FIA stewards get further involved, it'll just become a bigger mess and tarnish the sport even further than Ferrari actions did today.

IMO, Alonso was faster towards the end of the race but he should've been made to fight for it.

 

of course he should have fought for it, that's the whole point. if he's a better racing driver than the guy in front of him he will find a way to get round, simple as that. if he can't then second place it is. regardless of the racecraft involved, team orders have been banned for a number of years now, if this rule is so blatantly disregarded the punishment needs to be severe enough to deter any future infractions.

 

Ferrari not appealing stewards? decision - GPUpdate.net


Ferrari have announced that they will not be appealing the $100,000 fine which was handed out by FIA race stewards following the German Grand Prix, with the Scuderia having been found guilty of team orders.

Team orders have been banned in the sport since 2003, ironically due to the public outrage which followed the previous year’s Austrian Grand Prix, when Ferrari driver and race leader Rubens Barrichello was instructed to slow for Michael Schumacher to pass in the final stages.

“First and foremost, I want to congratulate the team on this fantastic result, which is down to all the work undertaken with so much effort, ability and passion by everyone, both at the track and in Maranello, day after day,” Team Principal Stefano Domenicali said upon returning from Race Control on Sunday evening.

“Already, over the past few races, we have seen that the performance level of our car has improved and finally today, we reaped the rewards.

“As for the stewards’ decision given after the race, in the interests of the sport we have decided not to go through a procedure of appealing against it, confident that the World Council will know how to evaluate the overall facts correctly.”

Stefano’s final comment relates to the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Paris, to which the matter now goes for further examination.

 

FIA= Ferrari Intel Assistant.

 

I think they should change the results, its the only action that will be a deterrent against dong this. Ferrari, for example, has been warned many times and have been fined before...what's $100k to Ferrari? Of course they will accept this, they're getting off light.

In comparison, changing a tranny nets a start from the rear, crossing the solid white on pit exit garnishes a 10sec stop and go, speed limit through the pits same, but manipulating the race finish is a $100k fine? Like I said in another post, if this was any other team, there would be tall wooden crosses standing in the infield....imho of course.