NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 28/07/2010 12:25 -
Updated: 28/07/2010 12:27
Sebastian Vettel claimed a place on the podium at his home Grand Prix, but the race will be remembered for a controversial team decision to favour a team mate.
However, on this occasion it is not Red Bull Racing caught in the storm instead it was Ferrari who ordered race leader Felipe Massa to allow Fernando Alonso, who is now 34 points off championship leader Jenson Button, through to ultimately win the German Grand Prix.
Ferrari, who denied it was a team order and stated it was a ‘driver decision’, were fined $100,000 for breaching sporting regulations and have been referred to the sport’s governing body the FIA.
Vettel, who started in pole but fell to third after a poor start, was an onlooker as Alonso gained the lead, and was stood alongside the two Ferrari drivers on the podium.
Red Bull have been subject of plenty of controversy in recent weeks with several reports of rifts between the drivers, and Vettel decided to focus on his experience at Hockenheim rather than the Ferrari team orders.
He said: “I was very pleased to be on the podium. It’s very special for me at my home Grand Prix, it’s great to see the people here and to be on the podium to see everyone cheering is very nice and emotional.”
Whereas, team principal Christian Horner was less than impressed with the Ferrari team’s tactics, he said: “It looked to be a team order with the cars switching position. If so, it’s a shame for Formula One and the fans that they were deprived of a race between the two Ferrari drivers.”
Elsewhere, Mark Webber finished one place behind Vettel in fourth spot, which means his team mate is now level on points in the drivers’ championship.
Both Red Bull racers have 136 points to their names, 21 points behind Button.
Webber, who moved from seventh on the grid to clinch fourth, said: “I wasn’t in the main fight today, but I’ll be back.
It’s competitive at the front and that’s how it should be, so we’re looking forward to the next race.”
However, on this occasion it is not Red Bull Racing caught in the storm instead it was Ferrari who ordered race leader Felipe Massa to allow Fernando Alonso, who is now 34 points off championship leader Jenson Button, through to ultimately win the German Grand Prix.
Ferrari, who denied it was a team order and stated it was a ‘driver decision’, were fined $100,000 for breaching sporting regulations and have been referred to the sport’s governing body the FIA.
Vettel, who started in pole but fell to third after a poor start, was an onlooker as Alonso gained the lead, and was stood alongside the two Ferrari drivers on the podium.
Red Bull have been subject of plenty of controversy in recent weeks with several reports of rifts between the drivers, and Vettel decided to focus on his experience at Hockenheim rather than the Ferrari team orders.
He said: “I was very pleased to be on the podium. It’s very special for me at my home Grand Prix, it’s great to see the people here and to be on the podium to see everyone cheering is very nice and emotional.”
Whereas, team principal Christian Horner was less than impressed with the Ferrari team’s tactics, he said: “It looked to be a team order with the cars switching position. If so, it’s a shame for Formula One and the fans that they were deprived of a race between the two Ferrari drivers.”
Elsewhere, Mark Webber finished one place behind Vettel in fourth spot, which means his team mate is now level on points in the drivers’ championship.
Both Red Bull racers have 136 points to their names, 21 points behind Button.
Webber, who moved from seventh on the grid to clinch fourth, said: “I wasn’t in the main fight today, but I’ll be back.
It’s competitive at the front and that’s how it should be, so we’re looking forward to the next race.”
