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Ferrari hails end of 'team orders' rule

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-14 08:06

ROME - Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has praised the dropping of Formula One's ban on team orders, describing it as end to "pointless hypocrisy".

Ferrari was fined $100,000 last season for ordering Felipe Massa to move over when leading the German Grand Prix and let teammate Fernando Alonso pass him to take victory.

On Friday, the World Motor Sports Council decided to drop the regulation that bans team orders from next season.

"Naturally, one hot topic was the abolition of the rule banning team orders. Finally, we have said goodbye to this pointless hypocrisy," said Domenicali.

"For us, Formula One is a team sport and we have always maintained that viewpoint and it should be treated as such.

"The regulations already include points that prevent certain situations being managed in an extreme manner. The decision taken (on Friday) is very important."

Alonso went into the final race of last season leading the championship but an ill-timed pit stop sent him down the field and the former double world champion could not make up enough ground allowing Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to claim the title.

Agence France-Presse