Ferrari escape with a fine

FIA decides no further sanctions despite 'team orders'

Last updated: 9th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ferrari escape with a fine

Alonso: Was allowed to pass

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Formula One's governing body will not impose any further sanctions on Ferrari or its drivers following a hearing in Paris on Wednesday.

The FIA upheld the $100,000 fine handed down by the race stewards following the German Grand Prix in July, when the team was found to have ordered Felipe Massa to allow Fernando Alonso to win.

But Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of Italy's CAI Motorsport Federation, said a meeting of the FIA's world motor sport council agreed unanimously not to impose any further punishment.

Alonso could have been stripped of the victory, while Ferrari could also have been docked points in their bid for the constructors' title.

Statement

A statement from the FIA read: "On 25 July 2010, at the Grand Prix of Germany, the stewards of the meeting found an infringement by the Scuderia Ferrari to the prohibition of team orders interfering with a race result and then decided to impose a fine of 100,000 US dollars and to forward the dossier to the World Motor Sport Council for further consideration.

"The judging body of the World Motor Sport Council held an extraordinary hearing in Paris on 8 September 2010 to examine this matter.

"After an in-depth analysis of all reports, statements and documents submitted, the judging body has decided to confirm the stewards' decision of a 100,000 US dollars fine for infringing article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations and to impose the payment of the costs incurred by the FIA.

"The judging body has also acknowledged that article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations should be reviewed and has decided to refer this question to the Formula One Sporting Working Group."

The decision has naturally delighted Ferrari whose statement in response read: "Ferrari has taken note of the decision of the FIA World Council, relating to the outcome of this year's German Grand Prix and wishes to express its appreciation of the Council's proposal to review article 39.1 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations, in light of what emerged during today's discussions.

"Now, all the team's efforts will be focused on the next event on track, when the Italian Grand Prix takes place at Monza this weekend."

Rule

The team orders rule was introduced in 2002 when Ferrari instructed race leader Rubens Barrichello to pull over to allow Michael Schumacher through and claim victory.

Massa, despite leading from the start, was informed by Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley over the team's radio: "Ok, Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you have understood this message?"

Following the controversial move, Smedley was again on the radio apologising to Massa.

"Good lad - just stick with it now, sorry," said the Ferrari official.

With six races of the season remaining Alonso is lying fifth in the drivers standings, 41 points behind McLaren pacesetter Lewis Hamilton.

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Comments (77)

Fred Wooldridge says...

FIA have legallised race fixing,not tolerated in any other sport in any form.Could only happen in F1,it means being crowned world champion has no credability what so ever,disgusting.

Posted 11:23 12th September 2010

Gareth Hughes says...

Wow at the bitter tears lol,seriously all teams do this in some form,be it telling a team mate not to pass or should I say bring the car home,or running newer parts on one car.It happens all the time and any team or boss that says otherwise is lying. It''s a team sport,that''s why there is a constructors championship,were both drivers score points for the team. As it stands the rule doesn''t work,teams and the fia know this.I guess it was ok if the mass public didn''t see it,if Massa had run a little wide on purpose none of the complainers would of said a thing. But I guess nobody cared when multiple times last season and before Kovalainen let lewis passed and was rear guarding him on many occasions (team order) but because it wasn''t obvious,it was ok by the fans.

Posted 15:01 11th September 2010

Mal Roberts says...

I have not watched formula 1 since Schumacher crashed Hill out and took the championship.Ferrari will always get what they want and nothing will ever be done.

Posted 06:06 11th September 2010

Rob Allum says...

Lets face facts, Ferrari were never gonna face anymore disciplinary action because the old team director Jean Todt was chairing the investigation!!

Posted 21:22 10th September 2010

Margaret Nixon says...

39:1 does need a review but, as the rule stands, Ferrari broke the rule and should have the points taken away. I would suggest that if a driver has to succumb to team orders, then what is the point of having two drivers in one team? One driver, one team and we all know what we are viewing.

Posted 21:06 9th September 2010

Patricia Needham says...

Once again the FIA (Ferrari Interests Association) have let them off, understandable Todt as head would not want his friends in Maranello to suffer, its a disgrace they are just abominable, if it had been McLaren they would have had all their points deducted and the drivers too, when can we have a fair crack of the whip for every other team in F1 and not just Ferrari, as for Alonso he''s just not fit to be world champion.

Posted 19:28 9th September 2010

Mikey Sklepowicz says...

Easy way out, sad but true state of affairs and disrespectful to the fans. Shame on you. They blatantly broke the rules and get a pitiful fine. Guess it goes to show, cheaters do prosper.

Posted 18:35 9th September 2010

Dave H says...

Should this be any other sport then Ferrari will be charged with bringing the sport in disrepute... look at what happend to John Higgins (6 months ban and he didn''t even dump a frame). Glad I don''t bet on F1, as I doubt anyone would return my bet after their blatant disregard for the rules again, and again.... When is the FIA going to finally change it''s name to reflect that they are in the pocket of Ferrari???

Posted 16:55 9th September 2010

Dave Rees says...

The FIA can''t even apply their own rules Perhaps all teams should now have a a nominated team leader and their second driver nominated as a substitute should the team leader not be able to finish the race, or be disadvantaged pointswise,.the subs points go to the team leader. All subs should give way on the first lap to the nominated team leader even if they have qualified better. If Mclaren, Red Bull, Renault etc had issued team orders they''d have been docked points and money (especially if it helped Ferrari in the drivers and constructors points). This is very sad for what was a great motor sport, experience and competition - it''''s now a shambles - no wonder there''s a struggle to attract new teams / competitors. The frustrating part is F1 is the pinnacle of car racing and so many people want to watch car racing by the best drivers, on the best tracks - driver against driver regardless of equipment - the FIA have just made this impossible with their latest cop out by ignoring their own rules - I assume the FIA is directly funded by Ferrari as no other team would have got off so lightly.

Posted 16:45 9th September 2010

Bluelabel Smirnoff says...

Thats it..... F1 for me is finished.... Corrupt, tainted, run by a spineless bunch of Ferrari loving sycophants... If Ferrari was in horse racing and they did this they'' would be facing POLICE charges for race fixing.... and that applies to ANY team involved in team orders.... I''m never watching another race as long as I live... and thats a promise... How can you enjoy the sport (if it can be described as such now) when the outcome is predetermined... Take yer cars and put em where the sun shineth not... I''ve had enough

Posted 15:55 9th September 2010

James Dodson says...

A joke an absolute joke its a disgrace to the sport

Posted 15:40 9th September 2010

Bella Maria says...

I agree with Jody Farman. People here are oblivious to the fact that team orders still, and always have existed in F1, and they always will. People are getting on their high horse because it is Ferrari, saying the FIA are helping them. Excuse me but to the know-it-all fans, Todt was not part of this ruling. Jenson Button summed up the other teams mentality when he said "initially you race for yourself, and then you think about the team"... Kind of explains why nobody has the history or pedigree that Ferrari has, because there, nobody is bigger than the team. They are the only ones who had the guts to do it blatantly, and then funny thing is it happens three races from the end and everybody is OK with it. What a bunch of hypocrites! Anybody remember Germany 08? Kovalinen let Hamilton through and Ron Dennis said "that was mighty impressive of Heikki, great sportsmanship to let him through"...why did nobody bat an eylid then? Oh I know, because it''s one rule for everybody else and when Ferrari are involved the book must be thrown at them! Grow up and pay more attention to the sport rather than watch just the start and finish and pretend you actually know about the sport!

Posted 14:25 9th September 2010

Paul Simpson says...

For those of who who''ve only been watching F1 since Hamilton came on the scene, F1 has always and will always be a team sport, where the team title is the most important. Therefore, the drivers are paid to drive for the good of the team. Team orders have and will continue to play a role in F1, maybe not so obviously, which is how the other teams get away with it at each race.

Posted 14:09 9th September 2010

Niall Niall says...

+++:: Ferrarri Innocent Again ::+++++ An absolute joke..... So waht if they are not doing that well this season, rule are rule and mustn''t be broken...... Personally, I think the FIA should be held accountable to the fans!!! McLaren were fined £100,000,000 for breaking a rule, Ferrarri get a £100,000 for breaking a rule..... Sounds fair to the FIA, but no one else.... Disgusting!!!! +++:: Ferrarri Innocent Again ::+++++

Posted 13:54 9th September 2010

Nick Berry says...

FIA or should I say Ferrari International Assistance have struck again. Ferrari break the rules an it is the rules that are wrong not the team. We will now see team orders in every race from every team and at the chequered flag, the team principals will march up to the stewards with a cheque for £65,000. Absolute disgrace. The FIA is there to safeguard the sport for the sake of the fans and what do they do, rub shoulders with Ferrari and disregard the integrity of the sport. Jean Todt should immediately resign and the teams should break away from the FIA and Mr Eccelstone and set up a professionally ran GP outfit. This has left a bad taste in my mouth, and it aint caused by pasta!!

Posted 13:09 9th September 2010

Jason Ja says...

You could feel that verdict was coming in your waters! I keep reading and hearing that Ferrari are needed in F1, I disagree. They are not special, so don''t deserve special conditions and to get off infringements lightly. Many teams have gone by the wayside in the past and F1 is still here. New teams will come and go, new drivers will come and go. Just let another team have a bright red car! OR treat Ferrari like the rest of the teams. They took a win away from Hamilton by creating a rule AFTER his incident so they could penailise him. Ferrari actually break a rule and their is little punishment, just a token jesture. I think Massa should be given the win and Alonso demoted by a time penalty to second, but both docked the points. After all, the 2 Ferraris were going to and deserve the 1-2.

Posted 13:04 9th September 2010

Luke Aston says...

In response to Jody Sharman''s comments, you must be a complete Ferrari glory supporter as every other team in F1 gets the book thrown at them and the farce behind every Ferrari situation is laughable. I''ve grown up watching F1 all my life and like other commentors on here I''ve never seen a team get away with so much. Yes we love Ferrari and they are bread and butter to F1 but rules are rules. PS Alonso to win he is a winging cry baby that cant take team competition I feel sorry for Massa who is being pushed out of Ferrari which is a shame.

Posted 13:03 9th September 2010

Malc Paul says...

If anyone thought that the FIA and Ferrari were no longer in bed together, this should serve as a reminder. Ferrari will ALWAYS get away with breaking the rules, McLaren will NEVER get away with breaking the rules! Cheating Ferrari as always!

Posted 13:01 9th September 2010

Habana . says...

Yet again F1 Makes itself look stupid .

Posted 12:27 9th September 2010

Tristan Matthews says...

This for me is a sad state of afairs. The FIA is a regulay bdy. They have taken the easy opton. If Jahn Mret Blest was in chare Ferrari would be in a heap of trouble. It is a team sport yes but drivers winning on their own accounts is going out of fassion . Only Shumaker can be said to have done regularly among The late Arton Sena would drive to win even in it meant paing the atimate price which he did F1 is not what I tought it was Tristan Mtthews

Posted 11:56 9th September 2010

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