Ferrari confident ahead of the WMSC hearing in Paris
Formula One team, Ferrari will have their fingers crossed ahead of their hearing in Paris today regarding the team orders controversy.
Ferrari were handed a fine of 100,000 dollars at the German Grand Prix, when Felipe Massa was ordered to slow down and give way to Fernando Alonso.
After that the race stewards referred the case to World Motor sport Council (WMSC).
Setfano Domenicali, the team principal at Ferrari said that he is confident that his team will not be charged with any serious punishments at the hearing.
He said that the team is confident that the WMSC will understand the team’s position and make a decision accordingly.
The Italian team has been charged with breach of 2 sections of F1 Rules. The incident in question took place at the Hockenheim circuit where on the radio a senior team Engineer could be heard saying “Felipe, Alonso is much quicker than you... do you understand?” after which Massa slowed down and allowed Fernando Alonso to go past him and the Spaniard ended up winning the race. As soon as Alonso went ahead the team radio was on again and the same engineer said “Good lad... Sorry”. It was on the 49th lap of the 67 lap race.
The article 39.1 of F1 regulations states that any interference from the team that may affect the result of the race is strictly prohibited.
Article 15.1c of F1 rule book, states that any conduct by a team that is fraudulent or can act prejudicial to the interest of a competition can be punished.
The incident was not welcomed at all around the F1 fraternity, and wide criticism followed for Ferrari from all corners.
This is not the first time Ferrari has been involved in such a controversy. Eight years ago in 2002, Rubens Barrichello was given the same advice and he slowed down to make way for Michael Schumacher. It was after that race, that the FIA were forced to revisit the team order rules and new restrictions were put in place.
Domenicali said that the team wanted to only let Massa know the developments of the race and that Ferrari had not given any explicit instructions, and because the team has already seen in the past that, some situations can end up with not the best results.
The fine that was handed down to Ferrari in Germany was the maximum that can be given for such an offense. It is feared that the hearing may well turn out to be a nightmare for the team. Ferrari can possibly be handed a race ban, points deduction or even elimination from the championship.
Domenicali said that people have overhyped the incident and in truth it was never that serious. He said that the World Motor Sport Council will take into account all the details that many have overlooked, and he has no doubts that Ferrari will not be handed any serious punishments.
Domenicali said that in the Australian Grand Prix, the team was faced with almost the same situation, and Massa was similarly informed that Alonso was quicker than him and it was left up to the drivers to make the decision.
The other teams in F1 are divided in opinion about the whole controversy; Ferrari’s main rivals like McLaren and Red Bull believe that the Italian team should be dealt with heavily, while others have taken a more linear approach and say that no harsh punishments are justified.
Whatever the outcome of the hearing is, it will be one of the most pivotal moments in the current F1 season as it heads into the last 6 races of the season.
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