Horner questions FIA ruling
The governing body's World Motor Sport Council opted not to punish Ferrari further for what unfolded during the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on July 25.
Instead, the WMSC chose to uphold the punishment imposed by the stewards, who fined Ferrari 100,000 US dollars after Felipe Massa ceded first place, and ultimately victory, to team-mate Fernando Alonso after coded messages were relayed to the Brazilian.
The WMSC have also referred the regulation relating to team orders being prohibited to the Formula One Sporting Working Group for review at the end of the season, and there is now every possibility the rule will be abolished.
It has, however, opened the door for a team to use implied team orders – as was the case with Ferrari – at some stage over the remaining six grands prix and only receive a nominal financial penalty.
"If any team was in that situation… then a precedent has been set," said Horner.
"Based on what happened with Ferrari in Hockenheim, other than the financial penalty at the event, it didn't affect points.
"They (the WMSC) obviously didn't think there was enough clear evidence.
"The regulation is not particularly well-worded. It needs to be better worded or abolished." Sporting Life