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Formula One Team Order Controversy Gets FIA Attention
The FIA on Monday vowed to investigate McLaren's alleged use of illegal team orders during the Monaco grand prix.
A statement said the governing body would look into the Mercedes-powered team's "possible breach of the International Sporting Code", following widespread condemnation of Ron Dennis' admission that Lewis Hamilton was ordered to settle for second behind his teammate Fernando Alonso on Sunday.
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F1's governing body added: "The relevant evidence is under review and a further announcement will be made in due course."
Dennis, though, was unapologetic, openly admitting that he "instructed" his drivers to hold their order after the pit stops.
But he argued: "Team strategy is what you bring to bear to win a grand prix. Team orders is what you bring to bear to manipulate a grand prix.
"And we do not and have not manipulated (the) grand prix."
PaddockTalk Perspective
We completely agree with Dennis on this one. And the obvious threat is that McLaren will receive a penalty for their actions if found guilty.
But this non-sense is simply idiotic.
The FIA has no business reviewing this exact circumstance that has happened many, many times EVEN SINCE its directive to ban team orders. Countless times, Ferrari have 'held station' after the final pit stops to insure the best result for the team. Renault did the same last season.
This is a standard practice in Formula One.
If this call from McLaren is in question, then there is no further use of the drivers racing each other on the track. Formula One should simply call qualifying the race, and award points accordingly.
Because how can it guarantee that the BMWs running 5th & 6th to hold station following their last pit stop ?
In our opinion, this is nothing more than a shameless publicity stunt... nothing less, nothing more.
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