Ferrari may face further sanctions

Fernando Alonso (left) and Felipe Massa
12 April 2012

Ferrari may yet face further sanctions after being punished for implementing team orders during Sunday's German Grand Prix.

The team were fined 100,000 US dollars, a drop in the ocean to a marque of Ferrari's wealth, however it may not be the end of the story.

The matter has been referred to the World Motor Sport Council for further consideration, and they have unlimited powers at their disposal.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali and drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso all pleaded their innocence and claimed that team orders did not come into play.

But it cut no ice with anyone in the paddock at Hockenheim, and most importantly of all the stewards clearly did not believe their story.

The team were found to be in breach of article 39.1 of the FIA 2010 sporting regulations that states 'team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited'.

With a touch of irony, that rule came into force following the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.

That was when then team boss and current FIA president Jean Todt told Rubens Barrichello to allow Michael Schumacher by so the German could claim the victory.

Relating to Sunday's incident, Ferrari were also charged with a breach of article 151c of the FIA International Sporting Code. That relates to 'any fraudulent conduct, or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally'.

Domenicali has since confirmed "in the interests of the sport" they will not be appealing the stewards' decision. Domenicali further expressed his confidence "that the World Council will know how to evaluate the overall facts correctly".

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