Perhaps one of the most controversial races of the 21st century. The 2010 German GP saw Fernando Alonso gifted victory after team-mate Felipe Massa was told to let the Spaniard through into the lead, to help with the championship battle. Alonso went on to win the race, but it was all in vain come Abu Dhabi, as Alonso could not take the title home to Maranello, in his first season with the Scuderia.
This event sparked fury in the world of Formula 1, and also meant that there would be a rethink in the rules of the sport, on whether or not team-orders should be allowed.
Ferrari have been keen users of team-orders in the past. One of the most famous is the 2002 Austrian GP. In what is known as a “staged finish,” then Ferrari drivers, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were heading a 1-2 on the last lap, before the latter was ordered to let Schumacher through on the line. It is still one of the most infamous uses of team-orders in the history of Formula 1.
Cast aside eight years and Ferrari are at it again. Not much had changed in terms of the fans reaction to the team-orders, but the difference this time, was that team-orders were completely banned from the sport, when they were not in 2002.
Massa was told over the radio by race engineer, Rob Smedley: “Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?” It seemed like a coded message to disguise the use of team-orders. There was no reply from the Brazilian, but when Massa let Alonso past on the exit of the hairpin in the second sector, it was clear that the message had been received, loud and clear. Smedley then said: “Good boy. Just stick with him now. Sorry.” The remorse was clear in his voice that the message did not want to be delivered and he was forced too.
Relationships in the Ferrari camp never really seemed the same after this. Massa eventually left Ferrari at the end of 2013, to make way for his former team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen.
After meeting with the stewards, Ferrari were deemed in breach of article 39.1 of the FIA 2010 sporting regulations that states “team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited”.
For this, Ferrari were fined $100,000. Also, the decision came that team-orders would be allowed for the following 2011 season and into the foreseeable future. The fine was the only punishment that Ferrari suffered.
After the 2011 German race was held at the Nurburgring, it was back to Hockenheim in 2012. Ferrari had just got a first and second place finish in Valencia, at the European GP and the British GP. Fernando Alonso had taken pole at Silverstone in very tricky conditions, and it was the same story two weeks later in Germany.
Just like at Silverstone, Alonso claimed pole in treacherous conditions and had a Red Bull alongside him once again. This time it was Sebastian Vettel at his home race.
Unlike two years ago, Alonso led into turn one and did not have to use team-orders to pick up a win that went down a lot better than two years before. Whilst Ferrari had far from the most competitive car in 2012, Alonso was still able to plug out the best possible results, and was able to overdrive the F2012 in many instances. The 2012 German GP was a perfect example of this.
Whilst the F14 T is something if only a mid-field car, it is unlikely that either Alonso or Raikkonen will be able to pull out a victory. With only one podium so far in 2014, this is one of the worst starts to a season by Ferrari in recent times.
Can Ferrari kick start their season back into action or will they continue to struggle all the way to the season finale in Abu Dhabi? Only time, will tell…
