Formula 1 Controversy

Elwood · May 14, 2002

I've been hearing about this contorversy in the last F1 race where a teammate slowed up at the end to let his teammate win. I decided to look it up on F1-racing.com. Do any of you watch this? Is this something that they're gonna let slide, or are they gonna put a stop to before it gets out hand?

From F1-Racing:

Ferrari summoned by FIA

Source: Yahoo Sports

Monday May 13, 2002

LONDON - Formula One's ruling body has summoned Ferrari and the team's drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello to explain their conduct at Sunday's controversial Austrian Grand Prix.

Brazilian Barrichello led the race from the start but, after being ordered to move over by Ferrari, slowed in the final few metres to allow Schumacher, the world champion and leader of this season's standings, to take the chequered flag.

Ferrari were pilloried by rival teams and spectators at the track for cynical manipulation of the sixth race of the season.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA), which has in the past been unclear about whether "team orders" are allowed, said in a statement that Ferrari had been summoned to appear before their World Motor Sports Council in Paris on June 26.

The Italian team will be asked to explain what the FIA termed the "incident" on the last lap and also incidents during the winner's ceremony.

An embarrassed Schumacher, chasing a record-equalling fifth world title, was reluctant to take the trophy at the ceremony and offered top place on the podium to Barrichello as spectators booed.

An FIA spokesman declined to give further details of the June hearing, saying it would be inappropriate at this stage.

There are three more races before the hearing, including the most famous grand prix of all, Monaco, in 13 days which could give Ferrari the 150th victory in their Formula One history.

Last weekend's controversy echoes one in Austria last year when Barrichello, in second place, was also ordered to move over for Schumacher.

Three years ago, the FIA tried to clarify the position on team orders after outrage followed the 1998 season-opening race in Australia when David Coulthard moved over to allow McLaren team mate Mika Hakkinen to win.

"There is no prohibition of team orders as such," the FIA said in a reminder dated August 26, 1999.

But it added that "any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition" was prohibited and would be penalised.

"It is perfectly legitimate for a team to decide that one of its drivers is its Championship contender and that the other will support him," the note said.

"What is not acceptable, in the World Council's view, is any arrangement which interferes with a race and cannot be justified by the relevant team's interest in the Championship. "Any arrangement between teams which might interfere with the race would also be unacceptable."

A spokesman confirmed the note remained the FIA's official position on the subject.

At the end of the 1997 season Schumacher had his points removed after apparently trying to run Jacques Villeneuve off the track in the decisive race for the title, which Canadian Villeneuve won.

Schumacher, however, was allowed to keep his race victories for that season.

MountaineerTom · May 15, 2002

F-1 does that uite often, but that sounded pretty obvious, slowing down right at the end to let his teamate win. They call it "Team Orders". I don't care for it myself, it's just not right, or fair. I do however like to watch F-1 races, but havn't got to see one yet this year. ???

To-D-Max · May 15, 2002

IMHO...It's BS. If you are leading at the end you should win the race. Can you imagine what would happen if you were to see a similar situation in NASCAR!!!?????

The advantage this gives F1 is RATINGS. With the press they are getting from this, you will probably have several thousand new viewers tuning in the next race to see if it happens again. Controversy breeds enthusiasm. (sp?)

carguru · May 15, 2002

I don't agree with it, but it happens. It might happen more often in NASCAR if they didn't bunch everyone up at each caution.

May 15, 2002

F-1 does that uite often, but that sounded pretty obvious, slowing down right at the end to let his teamate win. They call it "Team Orders". I don't care for it myself, it's just not right, or fair. I do however like to watch F-1 races, but havn't got to see one yet this year. ???

I has happened and does happen in NASCAR. They're just a little smarter about it.

Rick Mast literally pushed Harry Gant around the track for two or three laps years ago. Gant knew he didn't have enough gas to win and Travis Carter had Mast push him so that Gant could back off the throttle. Mast would back off at the start/finish line.

I think teams spin, spread oil, tap the wall, and get out of the gas early, or get into the gas too hard to help team members. We all know they block for teammates.

To-D-Max · May 16, 2002

Did Gant win the race?

I agree that there is a lot of bumping, blocking, etc going on.

But when was the last time you saw a teammate literally PULL OVER to let someone else win the race??

May 17, 2002

Did Gant win the race?

But when was the last time you saw a teammate literally PULL OVER to let someone else win the race??

Yes, Harry gant won with NASCAR Officials very upset about the way he did it.

Like I said earlier, I just think that NASCAR teams are smarter about the way they help each other out.

I can't think of a specific incident, but imagine this scenario;

5 laps to go at Darlington, #24 and #48 running 1st and 2nd.

The 24 car gets in the gas a little hard on the exit of turn three and loses the rear end a little. As he gathers it up, the 48 car gets an awesome bite off turn four and takes the lead with a five car-length advantage. #24 digs hard on the last few laps, but just can't make up the difference due to that one tiny little mistake.

Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond discuss just how critical running perfect is until the post-race show goes off the air.

#24 shrugs during the post-race interview and says his tires were a little more worn than he thought or maybe there was a little slick spot in turn three.

Was it set up? No one will ever know.

I find it hard to believe that car owners would not play these types of games on the track. Wins are worth a lot of money in sponsor dollars and the NASCAR Winners Circle.