Ferrari Scandal: F1 Fans Demand More Punishment, Briatore And Pros Say It’s Ok
Ferrari was fined with $100,000 for braking Formula One rule article 39.1 and, allegedly, bringing shame on motor racing sport world-wide. They also face the wrath of the FIA for the Hockenheim team orders affair, which is to take a decision no later than September 10 at its scheduled World Motor Sport Council meeting in Como, Italy. If you have no idea what Ferrari did and what this scandal is all about, read about it here.
F1 German Prix 2010 caused a scandal for Ferrari
But does Ferrari really deserve the punishments? After all an official decision hasn’t been taken as of yet. Opinions are not shared between the public, more or less Formula 1 fans, and experts with Flavio Briatore, ex-Renault boss, among them. Thousands of people have stated their opinion around the web and the vast majority demand more punishments, and even the resignation of the Italian team out of this year’s competition.
F1 German Prix 2010, Briatore says what the Ferrari team did is OK
Briatore considers that the decision was a strategic move that concerns only the Ferrari team, and even thinks a rule change is in order:
“This (team order) rule makes no sense and should be abolished. Formula one is a team sport. I don’t believe Ferrari did anything wrong,” added the 60-year-old Italian on an Italian TV post.
Ex- F1 driver Mark Blundell what happened is not illegal, here’s what he told AutoBlog UK:
“For sure, the way in which this was handled was not good for the sport or for Ferrari, but it’s nothing new and has been seen over the years,” Blundell said.
Here are the results Autoblog came up with after surveys:
What punishment should Ferrari get?
Disqualify Alonso, award Massa the win. 35%
Strip both drivers of points. 33%
Boot Ferrari out of the Championship. 27%
Nothing, the stewards fine was enough. 5%
Total Votes: 14,737
After all the information made public, what do you think is just in this situation? Take a hike around this photo gallery of the F1 Grand Prix in Germany while you make up your mind.
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- F1 German Prix 2010 caused a scandal for Ferrari
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- F1 German Prix 2010, Briatore says what the Ferrari team did is OK
- THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY:
- Andy Panait
Formula one is a team sport and the teams should be free to make decisions which relate to the team and in their best interest. Driver contracts should clearly state that either driver should abide by the decisions of the team principles and in this case Alonso is by far the best hope Ferrari has this season and Massa has rarely if even once this season been able to match his team mate.There is so much at stake and teams should be able to optimise their chances and the FIA should revise the rules accordingly. The FIA notoriously makes a hash of these situations and land up by stabbing themselves in the foot and no doubt this is yet another instance of that.
Thank you for your opinion. My thought exactly, but we’re not in the Council, are we…
I’m glad they finally told that snail Massa to get out of Alonsos way. Alonso would have more of a chance at the championship if Massa hadn’t held him back in previous races this season. Massa is an excellent #2 but if the pits didn’t tell him to watch his mirrors, he would have caused another Vettel/Webber. The fine is ridiculous, I don’t see a “mass majority” of fans complaining in comments and blogs throughout the web, I actually read the opposite. It’s just the tabloid headlines from the media that make it appear as such.
Hah! And people bash NASCAR. A NASCAR driver would NEVER pull over to give someone else a win!