FIA officials ‘angered’ by Ferrari outbursts

UPDATE (GMM) A spokesman for F1's governing body has confirmed there will be no disciplinary action after Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's post-Valencia outbursts.

Alonso accused FIA stewards of manipulating the European grand prix by imposing a late drive-through penalty on Lewis Hamilton after the Briton overtook the safety car.

Ferrari supported its Spanish driver, calling the outcome a "scandal" and repeating on its website the cries of angry team fans, including one who slammed the "Federation of clowns".

A source on Monday said the FIA is not considering action against Alonso or Ferrari, but a subsequent media report said "a number" of officials are "known to be angered" by the outbursts.

But an FIA spokesman is quoted by the British newspaper Daily Mail: "We won't be taking action."

Telegraph writer Simon Briggs thinks the FIA might have concluded that Ferrari have "made themselves look silly enough already".

06/28/10 (GMM) FIA officials may be considering action against Ferrari in the wake of the Italian team's post-Valencia outbursts.

Earlier on Monday, it appeared the governing body would not respond, after Fernando Alonso accused stewards of manipulating the race, and other Ferrari figures were similarly outspoken.

The famous team's figures are angry about the mere drive-through penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton for overtaking the safety car, allowing the McLaren driver to finish second in the race while Alonso was just ninth.

But in the past, especially in the reign of Max Mosley, the subsequent cries of foul might have met with a sanction, but sources indicated that the FIA is not considering disciplinary action against Ferrari or Alonso.

However, the Guardian then reported that "a number" of FIA officials are indeed "known to be angered" by the Ferrari outbursts.

Undeterred, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo joined the dissenting chorus on Monday, insisting the outcome of the race was "misrepresentative", and the events "very serious and unacceptable".

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner commented: "I don't think it was manipulated. The FIA just need to look at the safety car rules in the future."