Team orders made legal for 2011 – Let the preference begin!
Recently, it was revealed that teams will be allowed to use the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) once again after the technology was disposed off in 2009. The teams ran without KERS this season but it seems that the FIA has changed its mind and as a
result, KERS has been made legal once again.
Re-introducing KERS is understandable. But the FIA recently revealed that team orders will be legal in 2011. That is quite an immature decision as the teams have already been trying their best to dodge the FIA and break this rule since the past couple of
years and the fans never appreciate a winner who wins just because his teammate helped him.
Because of the fact that team orders were banned since the past couple of years, more rookie drivers were coming forward and as a result, people like Sebastian Vettel also got the opportunity to come forward and show the world that they have potential.
Before this, Ferrari and some other teams used to decide, sometimes even before the season, which driver they are going to give more preference to. As a result of this, the other driver works as a side winger for the teams front running driver no matter
how good he is. This decision might take away from the entertainment and unpredictability factor of the sport.
The FIA confirmed at the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Monaco that the ban on team orders would be lifted for the 2011 Formula 1 season along with some other rule changes.
Team orders were banned after Ferrari openly gave more preference to Michael Schumacher in 2002 and since they asked Rubens Barrichello to brake and let his teammate pass in order to increase his lead even though the season was just mid way through, the
fans were extremely disappointed.
“The article forbidding team orders (39.1) is deleted. Teams will be reminded that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code and any other relevant provisions,” read the FIA
statement.
Something similar to this happened this year, but was understandable as Ferrari asked Felipe Massa to let Fernando Alonso through at the German Grand Prix in order to stay alive for the title in the 2010 drivers’ standings.
However, many teams might take advantage of this rule and openly support one of their drivers in order to get the best results in the championship. But let’s hope that the teams take their decisions more professionally and enable both their drivers to perform
equally.
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