Controversy brews after Ferrari fiasco in German GP, Reactions
The Hockenheim sham finished with a Ferrari one-two but it was Alonso who won the race instead of Massa who was expected to be the victor for the better part of the race. The breach of Formula One sporting regulations has invited a lot of controversy and it seems that a lot of people want FIA to take strict action against the Italian team.
We take a look at the reactions of media, other teams and drivers following the incident.
I don't expect any penalties whatsoever because Alonso was just faster and Massa made a small mistake when shifting up three gears at once.
Setfano Domenicali, Ferrari Team Principal
I don't think I need to say anything about that.
Felipe Massa, Ferrari
Well I think I don't know what happened. I saw Felipe a little bit slow and I took the opportunity.
Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
I'm very professional and I've showed throughout my career how professional I am. We don't have team orders, so you just need to do the race that you can and if you cannot do that you need to think about the team.
Felipe Massa, Ferrari
There is only one target: winning the title.
Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP
We all want to win, and I know that every team wants to win, both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships. But they have to give both their drivers the same opportunity to do so. This was very early in the season. How early is it going to start in the future?
Jenson Button, McLaren
My reaction would be to go faster, that I need to find the time.
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
This was just handled very badly
Mike Gascoyne, Lotus
The English press showed no mercy for a driver who clashed so memorably with Lewis Hamilton back in 2007.
Marca Sports Daily, Spain
Dirty, thieving cheats
Sunday Express, UK
I've never heard a driver talk such bullshit. He has no character.
Former World Champion, Nikki Lauda on Alonso’s claim that he didn’t know what happened
It is unbelievable how awkwardly they demonstrated who is their number one. The FIA must react with a drastic punishment.
Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull
There are different ways for Alonso to return to the throne. Lying and cheating should not be one of them.
Swiss Newspaper
Alonso deserved to win the German Grand Prix, but not like this. Domenicali has confirmed his true ineptitude by giving Massa obvious team orders that are prohibited by the rules.
AS Newspaper
It was an insult to the sport. We regret writing it, but from Massa it was a lack of courage.
Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil
I will speak to Felipe myself. Nothing has changed at Ferrari.
Rubens Barrichello, Williams Cosworth
Ferrari is a team unlike another; when not undermined by political intrigue, they shoot themselves in the foot.
Liberation newspaper, France
Would Jean Todt dare punish his old team for a practice he applied himself? We honestly doubt it.
La Libre
It is fair to recognise that the problem is in the regulations.
Corriere dello Sport, Italy
Ferrari did the right thing in the wrong way. The team order ban is a regulation that penalises team interests.
Daily Il Tempo, Rome
Ferrari was fined for teamwork!
Autosprint, Italy
Ferrari were caught and they must pay. But the rule is unenforceable. To pretend otherwise is deluded.
Telegraph, Uk
We need to think of the spectators. They want to see fights on the track, not these actions. The different teams have different attitudes about team orders.
Norbert Haug, Mercedes GP
The ones who pay us are the team, not the newspapers or anyone else, and now Ferrari is taking 43 points back to Italy. And that is what we have to do - what is best for the team. On Friday I was faster, I was second in qualifying and faster than Felipe in the race. I don't think the slower driver won this race.
Fernando Alonso firing back at the press
It is interesting to see how various people and media have reacted to the incident. Ferrari and its drivers completely deny any wrongdoing. Ferrari’s fiercest rival and harshest critic McLaren, the UK based team, calls it foul along with the British media which have completely blasted Ferrari. Schumacher, once involved with a similar incident, believes there’s nothing with doing what Ferrari did. Spanish and Italian press is trying to play down the whole incident by criticizing the ban on team orders while Brazilian press is not too happy to deny them a victory.
The discussion on the incident is here to stay for some time and a lot more will follow once the World Motor Sports Council announces its ruling.
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