Formula One's governing body will not impose any further sanctions on Ferrari or its drivers following a hearing in Paris on Wednesday.
FIA decides no further sanctions despite 'team orders'
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.
