Controversies surround Ferrari after Alonso's controversial win
In the wake of the German Grand Prix, Ferrari has been under heavy criticism for exhibiting a lack of sportsmanship and exploiting flaws and loopholes in FIA regulations. The events succeeding the race were even more pathetic as two world-class sportsmen and a team principal were left to fabricate stories regarding the regulations and the circumstances of the German Grand Prix. Ferrari came to Germany after having three disappointing results in the previous three races they took part in. Alonso was 21 points ahead of Massa before the race as he has been performing better than the Brazilian this season.
Radio discussions that were transmitted were very derogatory. Initially, Rob Smedley was motivating and encouraging his driver but he delivered a killer message, which not only brought a bad name to Ferrari but also to the F1 sport. This event was an exact replication of the Austrian Grand Prix 2002, where Rubens Barrichello allowed Michael Schumacher to pass him in the closing lap for first position.
There are innumerable ways in which injustice can be done towards a driver within a team. A driver can be assisted or disadvantaged within the domain of testing, parts supply, quality of personnel, tyre and race strategies, fuel loads, pit stops, media releases, psychological and physical support, and many other aspects.
Meanwhile, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has criticized the "hypocrisy" of those who have targeted Fernando Alonso's victory during Sunday's German Grand Prix. Talking to media reporters, he said, “Enough of the hypocrisy. This has always happened. If one races for Ferrari, then the interests of the team come before those of the individual. The polemics are of no interest to me.”
According to Montezemolo, these happenings are not new to F1 and this has been happening in the past. He said, “These things have happened since the days of (Tazio) Nuvolari and I experienced it myself when I was sporting director, in the days of Niki Lauda.” He further added, “Therefore, enough of this hypocrisy, even if I can well believe that some people might well have liked to see our two drivers eliminate one another, but that is definitely not the case for me or indeed for our fans. I am very happy for all our fans who finally saw two Ferraris lead from start to finish as they dominated the race.”
Nobody can deny the fact that the German Grand Prix has brought Alonso in the midst of title contention. As a result, it has brought Ferrari back into the limelight. Even Montezemolo is now hopeful for Ferrari’s chances, he said, “The result is down to the efforts of all our people, who never give up. Now we have to continue working like this, to improve the car so that is competitive at all the circuits we will encounter. Alonso and Massa also did very well, giving their all throughout the weekend.”
F1 is full of fiascos such as the German Grand Prix in 2007 when Massa was the centre of controversy when he deliberately took a longer pit stop so that Raikkonen could take the World Championship. Kovalainen was a regular culprit at helping his team mate Hamilton at McLaren. Similarly Irvine aided Schumacher at Ferrari. He even came close to losing his title, when Schumacher broke his leg in 1999. If we go back, we can find many examples of similar happenings. For instance, In Austria in 1986 at Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham, Derek Warwick had to get out of his car on the grid and they wheeled it forward for Riccardo Patrese whose car had failed on the way to the start.
What would be interesting to see is the incidents that will come out of this episode. The FIA should do something more than just imposing a fine on Ferrari. Such episodes are killing the reputation of the sport and also ruining the images of teams. Alonso may have won the race but the real consequences of the German GP are yet to be seen.
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