F1 leaders confused over FIA team orders decision

MONZA, Italy (AP) - While Formula One welcomed a review of the team orders rule, leading teams were confused by FIA's decision to let Ferrari escape with just a fine for breaking the regulation at the German Grand Prix.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said that clarity was needed after the governing body ruled the Italian team had used the illegal order but failed to impose further sanctions due to the “uncertainty and complexity surrounding the ban ... and the difficulties of detecting and policing.”

“We don't have clarity - if anything it's more muddy,” Whitmarsh said Friday at the Italian GP. “(Ferrari) are either guilty and should be given a penalty, or they're not guilty and should be given back the fine they received.”

Ferrari was fined $100,000 for using coded messages to get Fernando Alonso to pass Felipe Massa in a 1-2 finish in Hockenheim.

FIA said in its final ruling that “there were many examples of what could have been said to be team orders in F1 in recent years, and therefore there has been inconsistency in its application.”

The rule was introduced in 2002 following a backlash from Ferrari for ordering Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher pass on the final straight and win the Austrian GP.

F1 teams Williams and Sauber had both written to FIA's World Motor Sport Council in support of Ferrari, while most drivers on Thursday said FIA's decision to review the ban was welcomed.

But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said FIA had set a “precedent” for the last six races of the season as teams had free range to order drivers around.

“Other than the financial penalty at the event (there is) no effect on their performance,” Horner said. “So if any team was in that situation and wished to move their cars around, or needed to, then a precedent has been set.”