Teams should run their own strategy, says Ecclestone
Formula One Manager and CEO Bernie Ecclestone has dropped a few suggestive hints that the ban on team orders may be removed when they are reviewed at the end of the season. This comes after a recent ruling by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and their decision not to penalize Ferrari any further regarding its team orders scandal at the German Grand Prix. The team came under huge criticism for ordering race leader Felipe Massa to allow team-mate Fernando Alonso to pass, resulting in a higher points victory for the team.
Controversy has flared over the issue, with critics from both sides of the argument igniting debate. While some feel that Alonso’s victory in Hockenheim was a sham, others have acknowledged team orders as an unavoidable reality of F1.
Following McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh’s declaration that the FIA’s stance on the team orders case was vague and “muddy,” Ecclestone stands firmly by the ruling. “It was the right decision, it was a unanimous decision,” he declared, according to BBC Sport. Ecclestone suggested that it would be in the best interests of F1 if “We [let] teams run their own strategy. Teams will respect the rule as much as they can as long as it remains.”
The FIA justified their verdict by stating that team orders had occurred throughout the season, but were not punished because they escaped censure. Reluctant to interfere with Alonso’s prospects for the 2010 title, the FIA dubbed Ferrari’s antics as “team tactics.”
Ferrari rival Williams expressed their own thoughts on the issue. “We are no friends of Ferrari, we just thought a total ban on team orders is not necessary. The issue has been referred to F1's sporting working group, and they are expected to come up with a solution that effectively removes the rule. There may, however, be some attempt to limit the use of team orders in some way. It's all up for discussion. One provisional thought is it should maybe be applicable just in the second half of the season,” said Frank Williams Sr.
Arguably, Ferrari issued their tactics in a race where Massa’s victory would not impact either team or team-mate so obviously early in the season, and this is partially why the team has faced so much scrutiny.
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