Italian Experts Mull on Ferrari Tactics
A day after the highly controversial end to the German Grand Prix, the debate over the controversial veiled message sent out by Ferrari to its drivers continue to be mulled over by the followers of the sport the world over.
There was a heated debate in one of the forefront countries in the Formula One fraternity.
The controversy erupted when Felipe Massa was ordered to slow down by the team management, and the instructions were conveyed by his car engineer.
The practice has been labelled banned as team orders can not be conveyed during an ongoing race especially if it jeopardizes the spirit of competition.
The race that preceded the German race was the Italian Formula One team that finished one-two at Hockenheim.
The fans of the sport besides the Italian press had mixed opinions regarding the tactics employed by team Ferrari.
Many questioned the game plan and if Fernando Alonso's win at the expense of team mate Felipe Massa, who was marking the anniversary of his near fatal crash last year in Hungary on the race day was a legitimate tactic.
The victory by the Spaniard was his second triumph of the season, and 23rd of what has been a glittering career.
The triumph however was clouded with the mid-race controversy over the veiled message sent to the Brazilian ordering him to allow his team mate through.
"So, Fernando is faster than you," was the encrypted message sent to Massa's race engineer Rob Smedley”.
The message was conveyed to the Brazilian on the 47th lap of the 67 laps after his driver had led from the start.
After the incident the Spaniard Alonso passed two laps later, prompting the engineer Smedley to say to Massa: "Good lad. Just stick with it now. Sorry".
As the debate on the tactics raged on one of the Formula One fans claimed that he was disappointed with what happened, considering that this was not the first breach of 'team orders' clause had been given.
"I thought it was really ugly, I saw it happen, it doesn't look good, particularly as it's happened before".
Another fan who did not see the actual race claimed that the tactic was deplorable as it casts a shadow over the integrity of all drivers and team, besides giving a bad name to the sport itself.
He felt that the racing sport has been corrupted.
"In terms of public morality, this is a serious matter," he said. "Sport, to remain true to its nature, has to strive to be a brotherly, liberal arena".
On the other hand there were some fans who felt that the tactics by team Ferrari were out of line.
The fan added that it was all part and parcel of modern sport where winning was extremely important and everything has to revolve around the team, and what is best in the interest of the strategy envisaged by the team. “They're things you do, there's nothing wrong with it, and everyone does it".
"Ferrari does it more shamelessly, but I don't see why everyone's making such a fuss about it," he added.
As a consequence of their breach, team Ferrari was fined $100,000 after the race ended on Sunday.
The incident was referred to the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s world motor-sport council which can impose additional penalties.
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