Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro escapes further punishment at WMSC hearing
On 25 July 2010, at the Grand Prix of Germany, the Stewards of the meeting found an infringement by the Scuderia Ferrari to the prohibition of team orders interfering with a race result and then decided to impose a fine of $100,000 and to forward the dossier to the World Motor Sport Council for further consideration.
The Judging Body of the World Motor Sport Council held an extraordinary hearing in Paris on 8 September 2010 to examine this matter.
After an in depth analysis of all reports, statements and documents submitted, the Judging Body has decided to confirm the Stewards’ decision of a $100,000 fine for infringing article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations and to impose the payment of the costs incurred by the FIA.
The Judging Body has also acknowledged that article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations should be reviewed and has decided to refer this question to the Formula One Sporting Working Group.
Full disclosure: I’m a Ferrari fan, been a fan since I’ve started watching F1 about 5 years ago.
That out of the way, here’s what I want to say: Good on the FIA. This whole ban on team orders is stupid. Team orders have been a part of Grand Prix racing well before Formula One was conceived. Heck, after F1 was formed, it wasn’t uncommon for one driver to give up his ride to the faster or highest placed driver (points-wise) that fell out of the race (Juan Manuel Fangio did it several times in the early 50’s).
The FIA has recommended that the Sporting Working Group, consisting of representatives of the FIA and FOTA, to look into modifying Article 39.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations (the article banning team orders). I hope they get rid of the ban or, if they keep it, make it more clear than just a one-sentence article.