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Formula One
F1: Decision Paves Road To Axe Team Orders Ban
The decision not to further penalize Ferrari could ultimately lead to the removal of the ban on team orders...
SPEED Staff / GMM  |  Posted September 09, 2010   GMM Newswire
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is glad that a Grand Prix is coming to Russia. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
While many commentators and fans are angry at the outcome of Wednesday's disciplinary hearing, others say the time is right to axe the ban on team orders.

The Telegraph observed that if the sport's governing body is reluctant to harshly punish a "blatant" rules breach like Ferrari's at Hockenheim, then "the rule really does need reviewing.

"By removing it, at least the hypocrisy of teams who practice it yet preach something else entirely would be removed," added the broadsheet.

The Guardian agrees that "most teams" pay only "lip service" to the ban that is "largely unworkable."

It is rumored that the FIA considered imposing a 5 second time penalty to winner Fernando Alonso, which would have installed the subordinate Felipe Massa as the official winner.

But the Council decided against it, meaning this verdict "is a precedent that will likely allow team orders to be continued to be used in the sport," a New York Times blogger wrote.

Brazilian columnist Livio Oricchio said the next step should be the axing of the ban, so "there is less theater and more truth in Formula One."

Germany's Bild agreed: "Either team orders are punished brutally, or they are officially allowed once again."

Said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone: "The rules need to be looked at again.

"If you swapped your drivers around with a few laps left, that is bringing the sport into disrepute. But if you do it earlier, I don't have a problem with team orders."

Enrico Gelpi, president of the Italian sanctioning body ACI and a FIA member, said: "The rule will be reviewed.

"For us it would be a good idea to remove it completely. The general attitude in the FIA towards this change is favorable."
Some pundits believe the fine issued to Ferrari for the team orders affair involving Fernando Alonso (Right) and Felipe Massa (Left) wasn't enough. (Photo: Getty Images)

He said the topic would be discussed at the next World Motor Sport Council meeting in November.

Ferrari, meanwhile, continued on Wednesday to deny the charge that it imposed an illegal team order that deprived Massa of the German GP victory.

The team argued at the World Motor Sport Council's disciplinary sitting in Paris that Massa decided to let Alonso pass him for the race lead because the Brazilian was angry.

Carlos Gracia, president of Spain's motor racing federation, was present for the hearing, and later revealed the apparent thrust of Ferrari's argument to Spanish radio Cadena SER.

"Massa was told that he was slower than Alonso to motivate him," said Gracia.

"Angered by the message, Massa decided to slow down, and this led to the suspicions (about team orders)," he added.

Gracia also revealed that he has spoken to Alonso, who knows "nothing" about the imposition of a team order.

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