[Intiltern]

The only person actually affected by this, at this point, is Massa - made no difference to the team's points for the race.
I could understand implied 'team orders' if it was at the end of the season but with 8 races still to run, there's a lot of oppertunity for Alonso to have problems and for Massa to take the lead - this could come back to bite them in the rear end. Certainly it's going to have a drastic affect on Massa's confidence in the team and the moral of the team itself if he's as popular, and Alonso as unpopular, as I suspect!
100k may not be much compared to their overall budget (maybe 500M?) but it's more the fine than the amount that'll sting them - and maybe people's opinion - but as long as they're selling cars I doubt they'll care that much.

Going to be interesting how this plays out in the following days and weeks ...

[OmqMZtkv]

perhaps the amount sould have been higher tho.

Exactly. They will have earned several million $ from the result today in terms of money next season, and $100,000 is pittance to Ferrari/Fiat. It doesn't matter that it wasn't technically Massa's fault; it actually was partially his fault for letting him pass him pass. This is the team's responsibility, and the WHOLE team should pay the price.

Banning testing on Friday would be a fairer punishment, if the FIA want this to stop outright.

[derty]

exactly gordo, far to long they have had special treatment and got away with things totally scot free.

[Intiltern]

exactly gordo, far to long they have had special treatment and got away with things totally scot free.

As a Scot, I object to that

[derty]

Exactly. They will have earned several million $ from the result today in terms of money next season, and $100,000 is pittance to Ferrari/Fiat. It doesn't matter that it wasn't technically Massa's fault; it actually was partially his fault for letting him pass him pass. This is the team's responsibility, and the WHOLE team should pay the price.

Banning testing on Friday would be a fairer punishment, if the FIA want this to stop outright.

but they havn't got away with it like they have in the past, this has marked their reputation in a public way. the amount should have been higher but is a moot point really, its cost them publicly which im happy about.

[OmqMZtkv]

The only person actually affected by this, at this point, is Massa - made no difference to the team's points for the race.
.

No, but it can have implications to the other teams, whom have played fair. Can you imagine the UPROAR if Horner said to Webber, you must let Vettel through if you are leading, and likewise to McLaren.

At the end of the day, if they want this to stop OUTRIGHT, they must make a severe punishment for it. 15 grid place drop, starting from the pitlane next race, excluding that day's result, or banning friday practice.

There are many teams that can afford $100,000; the FIA have basically said to the other teams, for $100,000 you can fix whoever wins the grand prix if you have both cars in 1st and 2nd. Outrageous.

[derty]

it would be great if 100k wasnt the end of it, but after years of ferrari getting away with things scot free... ahem with no penalty at all then its an improvement frankly (is there any franks out there?)

[derty]

the drivers need to be left out of any punishment i think, neither of them deserve to suffer for something they had no control over, they are employees of ferrari remember. Tell your employer you wont do what they ask of you andsee what happens. if anything else happens then like what happened to mclaren, ferrari should loose constructors points, perhaps this year and next.

[XangadsX]

So they bought the right to break the sports rules for 100K... not bad [rolleyes]

Ferrari should be disqualified from the constructors championship. Let's not forget that this is the second time they do it; yes the rule didn't exist when they did it first time but it was specifically brought in because of that incident and now they do it again. They're bringing the sport into disrepute and they are in contempt with the regulation.


100k fine??pffff they could pay it right there with pocket change[rolleyes]

[GWRIeEQp]

The only person actually affected by this, at this point, is Massa - made no difference to the team's points for the race.
I could understand implied 'team orders' if it was at the end of the season but with 8 races still to run, there's a lot of oppertunity for Alonso to have problems and for Massa to take the lead - this could come back to bite them in the rear end. Certainly it's going to have a drastic affect on Massa's confidence in the team and the moral of the team itself if he's as popular, and Alonso as unpopular, as I suspect!
100k may not be much compared to their overall budget (maybe 500M?) but it's more the fine than the amount that'll sting them - and maybe people's opinion - but as long as they're selling cars I doubt they'll care that much.

Going to be interesting how this plays out in the following days and weeks ...

Well said.

It wont happen though since massa has probably lost all confidence, and won't just be a 2nd driver, but race like one.

I want webber to take the championship at this point, or button.

[OmqMZtkv]

the drivers need to be left out of any punishment i think, neither of them deserve to suffer for something they had no control over, they are employees of ferrari remember. Tell your employer you wont do what they ask of you andsee what happens. if anything else happens then like what happened to mclaren, ferrari should loose constructors points, perhaps this year and next.

No, it is a driver decision as well. The pitcrew can't suddenly slow the engine down so the other can pass; when Massa received that radio message; he had a choice whether to abide by it or not.

The most Ferrari could have done was buy out his contract provided there wasn't a term in his contract that he must follow orders that specifically mean he has to let his teammate through, in which case, Ferrari boss should be kicked out of the sport like what happened with Renault.

[derty]

webber had the right reaction to the team favouring one driver over the over in the british gp by blowing his team mate off the road, id love to see massa do the same.

[derty]

No, it is a driver decision as well. The pitcrew can't suddenly slow the engine down so the other can pass; when Massa received that radio message; he had a choice whether to abide by it or not.

The most Ferrari could have done was buy out his contract provided there wasn't a term in his contract that he must follow orders that specifically mean he has to let his teammate through, in which case, Ferrari boss should be kicked out of the sport like what happened with Renault.

im still right, of course hes not a robot sat behind the wheel, but the fact is they forced him into the situation, they put it on him, they are at fault.

try it at work, tell your boss your not gonna do what he asks. let me know how it goes.

if massa didnt they would make it very hard for massa in the future.

[XangadsX]

No, it is a driver decision as well. The pitcrew can't suddenly slow the engine down so the other can pass...

Judging by poor Pretov's bollocking on the radio, erm yes they can

[papadopul]

Judging by poor Pretov's bollocking on the radio, erm yes they can

Hehe that was pretty funny, do what we say or you won't get any sweets tonight!

[XangadsX]

Hehe that was pretty funny, do what we say or you won't get any sweets tonight!

In soviet Russia ... aahhh screw it I can't be bothered

[angeldimmon]

Car telemetry is one way. The guys in the pits have no control over the car.

All this talk of throwing them out of the championship, or banning the head of Ferrari like happened with Renault (as if what Ferrari did was even comparable with what Renault did) is just silly imho. Yes, what Ferrari did was wrong, but let's not get carried away.

[OmqMZtkv]

Car telemetry is one way. The guys in the pits have no control over the car.

All this talk of throwing them out of the championship, or banning the head of Ferrari like happened with Renault (as if what Ferrari did was even comparable with what Renault did) is just silly imho. Yes, what Ferrari did was wrong, but let's not get carried away.

So what happens when this happens again?

[Intiltern]

No, it is a driver decision as well. The pitcrew can't suddenly slow the engine down so the other can pass; when Massa received that radio message; he had a choice whether to abide by it or not.

The most Ferrari could have done was buy out his contract provided there wasn't a term in his contract that he must follow orders that specifically mean he has to let his teammate through, in which case, Ferrari boss should be kicked out of the sport like what happened with Renault.

Not heard of internal disciplinary action - they could have had a fine process or dropped him as a driver while keeping him on contract - much as they did with Kimi (if they were smart, they'd have some sort of recall clause, as they're still effectively paying him) and used the test driver for a race or two. Although nose and face come to mind over that option.

Massa had no real option but to pull over - in the old days, he'd've "missed a gear" or "run wide" to fudge it.
I also think Smedley (sp?) was also very unhappy about being made to make the call to Massa, when it should have been the team principle who didn't have the bottle to do it himself - which may also have morale affects as he may lose some respect from other team members.

As I said earlier, I'm in favour of team orders, but while the regulations ban them, they shouldn't be used!

[Affiltavajefe]

If this would have been a McLaren, they would be kicked out of championship + 100 million fine!
But that's Ferrari, they can do what they want and will never get punished! They will do it again, and again, and again...that's "sports", the "better" one wins...or the one Ferrari wants to win...lol...