There have been discussions and counter discussions from the past few weeks on whether Ferrari should be penalised or not for their alleged team-orders at the German GP ordering Felipe Massa, to relinquish his position to Fernando Alonso.
A section of observers feel that Ferrari broke the rules, which clearly states no team orders, hence deserves a penalty. There cannot be an argument against it.
Another set of people believe that team orders are a norm in Formula One, as it's a team game, and the drivers have to work for the benefit of the team, whether they like it or not.
Both the groups have their valid and logical arguments, and on it's part, FIA have already penalised Ferrari with a fine of $ 100,000 (for carrying out team orders, banned under section 39.1) and more might be in store when the World Motor Sporting Council meets to discuss on the issue on September 8 (for bringing the sport in to disrepute, section 151.c )
FIA are spot on in penalising Ferrari for breaking the rule of "no team orders". However, are they right in referring to WMSC for bringing the sport to disrepute?
I would say, yes. They did bring the sport in to the disrepute.
Formula one, like any other sport, stands on the hinges of it's fan base, and it's the fans who have been hurt and felt cheated by the whole episode.
Fans who throng to the circuits, who are glued to the television sets, weekend after weekend, to see their favourite teams and drivers racing to glory.
A huge chunk of these fans just love pure racing and are not concerned about the business or strategy attached to it.
It is these fans, spread worldwide, who felt robbed by the action of Ferrari and it's drivers.
They went to watch drivers race each other and not trade positions for whatever reason. By doing this, the basic concept of racing is taken away.
When fans feel cheated and robbed, it brings disrepute to that sport, impacting negatively on it's core fan base, which might prove detrimental to its very existence in the long run.
There is no doubt that F1 is a team game, and teams make strategy for their benefit, but it is a very fine line which teams have to tread so that it doesn't lose the confidence of the sports enthusiast, on which any sporting structure stands.
Team orders in formula dates back to many decades back, as the Ferrari President claimed, when he ridiculed the punishment to Ferrari. However, it was always dealt very strategically by teams.
The first team that made it more clear in public was none other than Ferrari in 2002, when Rubens Barrichello slowed down just before the finish line to help Michael Schumache win the Austrian GP.
This had brought lot of criticism to Ferrari and in general F1 teams, that prompted FIA to ban 'team-orders' to instill confidence back in fans, that such things won't be allowed in future.
Teams have continued to favour their favourite/best drivers, but under coded messages and during pitstops etc., but not as blatantly as 2002 incident.
Fans understand supporting a driver or team, under certain circumstances, where it becomes absolute necessary, like in 2007 when Felipe Massa was smartly delayed during the pitstop to help Raikkonen win the final race and the championship.
However, to announce the same on radio in a way that anyone could make out that they were team orders, and more importantly, when the season has just crossed half-way, is what has created the uproar against Ferrari.
Whatever logical reasons Ferrari might come up, it is only for their team's benefit, and it doesn't take in to consideration the damaged it has brought to the sport in general.
Hence, FIA has rightly referred the matter, and it all depends how WMSC views it, in the best interest of sport.
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