Ferrari has not received any further sanctions after today’s World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris into the team orders affair. However, the original $100,000 fine still stands.
It remains to be seen what the thinking behind the decision is, but the Hockenheim stewards may have made a bad call in giving a punishment and referring the matter to the World Motor Sport Council. Had a fine not already been imposed, the WMSC might have been more inclined to take more serious action.
The fine was the highest that the stewards were able to impose on the Sunday night of Hockenheim,
More later…
Adam Cooper F1 
I wonder if all Ferrari’s recent whining about leaving the sport over new engine technical specifications has colored the FIA’s decision to give them a pass on their obvious rules infraction.
What’s that saying about a good offense is the best defense?
Disappointing.
I think based on the reaction to Hockenheim, F1 fans vehemently don’t like manipulated races like that any more, particularly when both drivers are possible championship contenders.
A suspended ban or large fine could have at least made them think twice about doing it again, but now, there’s nothing to stop them from doing it again this Sunday…
No, there’s nothing stopping them from doing it again this Sunday nor should there be. The rule is broken by all because all wish to keep their teams in the sport. There is much more than a race between the cars that we are watching and the sooner fans learn to understand and appreciate that aspect of the business the better all will like it. The FIA may be awakening to that reality..
Much, much more indeed. Like dumbed-down stress-tests, hence … zombiebank!
This is diabolical, it’s a total sham, so much for rules & regulation when teams can break them at will without punishment.. FIA – Ferrari International Assistance…. too bloody right, if I was a punter who’d bet on Massa winning that race, I’d be taking legal action myself against Ferrari, Burnie, The FIA & anyone else involved in that fix-up of a race…. I’m disgusted at the outcome of this WPSC meeting, how is this suppose to help the sport when Ferrari get away with total disregard to the rules…. shambolic!!!
Here we go again with people moaning about “what if I had bet on Massa?” … is that what F1 is for, to pander to degenerate gamblers?
Not applicable. It is impossible for someone to degenerate into whatever unless he or she has surrendered to moral relativism to start with. One of many clues: See Tozzi’s questioning Pedro de la Rosa, Sept ’07, WNSC.
Congratulations Ferrari! You have now effectively wrecked Alonso’s chances for the title!
Red Bull or McLaren can now also ‘buy’ their desired finishingorder if Alonso comes too close…
Talking about shooting yourself in the foot. 🙂
Who will Red Bull spend the money on, though? 😛
That’s a good point! We are now in this weird situation where the rule is still in place and the legal precedent is in theory $100,000. So what happens next time? What a joke.
I wonder if the FIA will let Ferrari have some extra engines to finish the championship as well, since they are rapidly running out of stock… It all makes a mockery of the fantastic racing we’ve seen from the other competitors this year, doesn’t it?
Absolutely right Leo. The Red Bull internal battle has been the best thing about the year and things have been pretty tense at McLaren from time to time too…
where n read m.
It’s going to be interesting to watch the remainder of this season play out.
It would appear safe to say the the title race is down to three teams and five drivers. Ferrari will be behind Alonso all the way. What about the other two contenders?
Both Red Bull and McLaren have two drivers in the hunt. Do they let them fight with each other and possibly open the door for Ferrari and Alonso? I would suggest it is time for RB to get behind Webber and McL to do the same with Hamilton. Both are looking very strong and it would be a fitting and thrilling conclusion to the season to see the pair go down to the last race with the outcome still in doubt.
Does that mean team orders? Yes, obviously. We all know they exist and always have, so what’s the big outcry all about? Ferrari were a bit to bold with they way they did them? It could have been more subtle maybe.
Don’t forget that there are several other teams and drivers that will probably have an impact on how the remaining points are distributed. Letting Button take points away from Hamilton or Vettel from Webber could be a serious mistake.
I can’t make it to Monza, so somebody do me a favour? Can you make up a banner that says ‘Felipe, I’ve just seen Alonso’s mum and she’s knitting a lovely PULLOVER FOR FERNANDO. Can you confirm you understand.’ Thanks
Kudos to Shahbaz Kahn, that’s one of the best comments that I’ve seen here.