Controversy From the German Grand Prix 2010

The 2010 season of Formula One has been relatively controversy free; no major scandals or upheavals to even report about. That all ended yesterday with Ferrari blatantly giving team orders to Felipe Massa to let his teammate, Fernando Alonso, through to win the race.

Formula One is comprised of twelve teams with two cars and two drivers in each team. Team orders, which have been banned since 2002, are part of the strategy for teams to gain as many championship points as possible. After all, it is the team that comes first; drivers are second. However, in order for the team to successfully grab the championship one of their drivers must also win. As the season progresses and the number of championship points dwindles, teams may choose one of their drivers who may have the best chance at clinching the championship. This driver will then receive the full backing of the team and assistance from his teammate. Even though the regulations ban this type of behavior all of the teams do this. Ask any of them, however, and they will vehemently deny it.

So, if they all do it and everyone knows that they all do it, what’s the big deal? It was the manner in which the team orders were given that has most people pissed off. The orders were so obvious to anyone watching the race and the lying that ensued afterwards was downright embarrassing.

Here is how the race played out –
Fernando Alonso qualified in second position with his teammate, Felipe Massa in third. Massa was able to get a better start and got by Alonso and Vettel for first position. Alonso also got by Vettel and claimed second. The rest of the race was rather uneventful with Alonso posting fastest lap times and Massa responding with his own fastest lap times. Ferrari should have been happy with a 1 – 2 finish the problem was that the wrong driver was in the lead; Alonso was leading Massa by 21 points in the championship.

Alonso did eventually manage to catch up to his teammate and tried to get around him during lap 23. Massa, however, held onto his position. A frustrated Alonso was then heard over the radio saying, “This is ridiculous”. Massa was able to pull away from his teammate and looked fairly secure in his lead. Alonso, once again, caught up to Massa and by lap 40 had closed the gap down to 1 second.

This is when Rob Smedley, Massa’s race engineer, is heard telling Massa that “Fernando is faster than you.” Not shortly after this transmission, Massa is seen dramatically slowing down, Fernando went by and Rob Smedley is heard apologizing to his driver.

The FIA have fined Ferrari $100,00 for this indiscretionary use of team orders. This is mere pocket change and amounts to nothing more than a wimpy slap on the wrist. The case has been handed over to the World Motor Sport Council who have the ability to impose whatever sanctions they want; if they decide to do anything at all.

Meanwhile, Alonso gets the win, Ferrari garner more points towards the championship and fans, like myself, feel cheated at not getting a clean race. This is, after all, what Formula One is – a race.