Formula 1

Ferrari President Defends Hockenheim Team Orders

1 Mins read

Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president, has hit back at those who criticised Ferrari’s use of team orders in the German Grand Prix last Sunday.

Speaking from Maranello, di Montezemolo said he was pleased to see Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa finish first and second at Hockenheim last weekend after what has been a tricky half of the season for the Scuderia.

“I am very happy for all our fans who finally saw two Ferraris lead from start to finish as they dominated the race,” he said. “The result is down to the efforts of all our people, who never give up. Now we have to continue working like this, to improve the car so that is competitive at all the circuits we will encounter. Alonso and Massa also did very well, giving their all throughout the weekend.”

Ferrari were castigated by large sections of the F1 community on Sunday after ordering Felipe Massa, over the team radio, to hand the victory over to Fernando Alonso on Lap 49. However, di Montezemolo has little time for the critics.

“The polemics are of no interest to me,” he said. “I simply reaffirm what I have always maintained, which is that our drivers are very well aware, and it is something they have to stick to, that if one races for Ferrari, then the interests of the team come before those of the individual.

“In any case, these things have happened since the days of Nuvolari and I experienced it myself when I was Sporting Director, in the days of Niki Lauda and not just then…

“Therefore enough of this hypocrisy, even if I can well believe that some people might well have liked to see our two drivers eliminate one another, but that is definitely not the case for me or indeed for our fans.”

1972 posts

About author
David is an occasional contributer to the site on matters related to Formula 1. You can follow him on twitter at @Dr_Bean.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix - TCF Driver of the Weekend

2 Mins read
TheCheckeredFlag Driver of the Weekend is revealed for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Team Principals are Saying after the Race

7 Mins read
The ten Team Principals reflect on drivers performances at Albert Park during Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, a race that saw Ferrari claim their first win of 2024.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Drivers are Saying after the Race – Part 2

7 Mins read
Those who missed out on points in Australia reflect on their races, including Max Verstappen, who retired from a Grand Prix for the first time since the same event in 2022.