Ferrari was fined R10 million at a hearing in Paris on Wednesday as punishment for the Austrian Grand Prix team orders controversy.
Ferrari was fined R10 million at a hearing in Paris on Wednesday as punishment for the Austrian Grand Prix team orders controversy.
It had been expected that the motorsport governing body the FIA would get tough with the Italian team and dock points for the controversy, but this did not happen. This means it was only a slap on the wrist as the team will have to pay half of the amount immediately, with the other half suspended for one year.
The team controversially ordered Rubens Barrichello to move aside for Michael Schumacher on the final lap, allowing the German to claim victory.
At the victory ceremony, Schumacher then pushed Barrichello onto the top step of the podium.
The FIA said that because team tactics were part of the sport’s rules, they could only punish the team for their actions on the podium after the Grand Prix had finished.
But the FIA said it was “with some reluctance” that it could take no action on team orders.
In a statement, FIA said: “It is the duty of each team to ensure that its contracted drivers observe the podium procedures and do not in any way embarrass the national authorities of the countries where a Grand Prix takes place.”
Meanwhile, McLaren boss Ron Dennis said Ferrari had played to the audience by publicly stating that it had reversed its team orders at the European GP.
Barrichello recorded his second-ever Formula One victory at the Nürburgring after his team-mate, Michael Schumacher, was ordered to remain in second position and not challenge the Brazilian’s lead over the last ten laps of the race.
Dennis claims the Scuderia used team orders in the Brazilian’s favour in order to impress ahead of the meeting of the FIA’s World Council. Todt denied the insinuation that Rubens was “allowed” to win merely to appease the FIA and said they were not expecting a harsh reaction from the sport’s governing body.
Do you think the FIA decision was fair?