The dominant performance of the Mclaren-Mercedes team is suddenly under a cloud following an FIA announcement, this morning, that accusations of ‘team orders’ will be officially investigated.
The British press have rounded on Mclaren supremo Ron Dennis today following comments made yesterday that implied Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton had been told to hold station at some point in the race.
The FIA statement read:
"The FIA has launched an investigation into incidents involving the McLaren Mercedes team at the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix in light of a possible breach of the International Sporting Code. The relevant evidence is under review and a further announcement will be made in due course."
Team orders were effectively banned as a result of Ferrari manipulating the result of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, in which Rubens Barrichello moved aside to let Michael Schumacher take the chequered flag.
The move was met with widespread condemnation. The situation yesterday, however, is hardly comparable.
Dennis may well have dug his team a hole unintentionally with his comments last night:
“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 Grands Prix, unless there were some exceptional circumstances.”
Article 151c of the International Sporting Code forbids: "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally." We believe it is with reference to this clause that the investigation is being conducted.
Any penalising of the drivers is thought unlikely, however, although the team may face some form of penalty as a result.
Written: Mon, 28 May 2007 14:16:36
[ Print View ][ E-Mail Article ]
- May 13, 2012Maldonado Wins in Spain!
- May 12, 2012Lewis on pole as Pastor stars
- May 02, 2012Alonso fastest on day 1
- March 25, 2012Alonso wins in Malaysia!
- March 18, 2012Button wins in Melbourne
- November 27, 2011Vettel makes it 15!
- November 14, 2011Hamilton wins, Vettel spins
- November 12, 2011Vettel pips Hamilton!
- November 12, 2011Hamilton heads P3
- November 11, 2011Button best in P1
- (May 28, 2007)View all headlines from this date
