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Ferrari Fined After Win in Germany |
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Monday, 26 July 2010 |
 Formula One has fined Ferrari $100,000 for team orders hours after one of its drivers slowed down in the Grand Prix of Germany on Sunday to allow his teammate to pass.
Fernando Alonso, the two-time champion, won the race at Hockenheim, but only after his teammate, Felipe Massa, slowed down on the 49th lap.
Mr. Massa, who has yet to win this season, was visibly upset in post-race interviews and declined to talk about the move. “The only thing I feel is that we are working for the team, and we are doing a very good job for the team, and that is the most important thing for Ferrari,” he said.
Nevertheless, Formula One fined Ferrari, although the team’s first- and second-place classifications were not under threat. But according to a report from the race stewards, “the case will also be referred to the F.I.A. World Motor Sport Council for further consideration.”
Team orders have been outlawed since 2002, after an incident between Ferrari drivers. Then, it was Rubens Barichello who allowed Michael Schumacher through because Schumacher held a higher position in the championship. The same reasoning may have factored into Ferrari’s strategy on Sunday: Mr. Alonso is fifth in the championship, while Mr. Massa is languishing in eighth.
Ferrari Decision Made Sense
“Sunday’s episode looked bad because Massa, a year to the day after his life-threatening accident in Hungary, slowed so obviously to let Alonso past,” wrote Oliver Owen in The Guardian. “The Brazilian has been short of confidence this year and a victory would have done him the power of good, so no wonder he was grumpy at having to give way, but it was the right thing to do for Alonso’s title challenge.” (The Guardian)
Former Ferrari Champion Criticizes Team
“This was the most stupid thing I have ever seen from Ferrari,” said Niki Lauda, who won two Formula One championships with Ferrari. “Why did they do it? They did not need to because the championship is alive for another eight races.”
Mr. Lauda, who was speaking to The Daily Mail, raised another more human element. Mr. Massa missed several races last season because he was injured in a race incident a year ago. “Why could Massa not have a chance to win, a year since he had the accident that could have cost his life?” Mr. Lauda asked
Source: New York Times
Source(image): AP
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