FIA steer clear of Ferrari furore
Increasingly it would seem sport has become more about big brands and making money than competition and entertainment.
Formula One has always been a sport where you need a king’s ransom to be able to compete so big money has been key from the start. But Ferrari’s scant regard for the rules, met with the backing of the FIA, is another example of the carpet being laid down for a superpower by a governing body.
The Italian side’s scot-free acquittal following their breaking of the team orders rule at the German Grand Prix has been swept under the carpet as Formula One tries not the ruffle the feathers of its most famous and popular team.
Regardless of ethics and whether team orders should or should not be allowed, the rules currently and specifically state that teams cannot conspire to purposely let one driver overtake another. Ferrari shamelessly broke the rules and although they received the initial $100,000 fine, they should have been hit where it hurts with the deduction of the championship points they won in that race.
In fact it’s almost unbelievable they have got off so lightly and they will be delighted with the outcome, they acted as if they rules didn’t apply to them and it turns out they don’t.
In a statement the FIA said: “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."
When Felipe Massa slowed down and left Fernando Alonso pass with ease, Ferrari knew they were breaking the rules. Alonso, the man involved in “crashgate”, one of the biggest controversies in Formula One history profited from the manoeuvre, surely he should have known better than anyone that the repercussions of such a move would have caused outrage.
It’s an insult to the teams that play by the rules and Ferrari would have known full well what they were doing, they did it enough times with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.
In statement the Scuderia said,: “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 1 Sporting Regulations, in light of what emerged during today’s discussions.
“Now, all the team’s efforts will be focussed on the next event on track, when the Italian Grand Prix takes place at Monza this weekend.”
Perhaps what is to be learned from this is that Formula One is a team sport and regardless of the rules teams, will always work with a No.1 and a No.2 driver so maybe team orders should just be allowed so everyone knows where they stand.
With this decision the FIA have shown a clear bias to the behemoth of the sport. The prancing stallion can do as they please and they may as well start the next race with eight wheels on the car.
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