Team order ban 'incompatible with reality'

(GMM) Ferrari is showing no sign of reversing its stance about team orders in formula one. Team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted by Spain's El Mundo newspaper as insisting that Felipe Massa should not be downtrodden after moving aside for Fernando Alonso at Hockenheim.

"I like basketball, and I understand that whoever assists has as much or even more value than the one who scores the goal," he said.

And to Germany's Die Welt, the Italian indicated that another situation like last Sunday could soon be played out again.

"We give our drivers information during the race, according to the principles I have spoken about teamwork and the interests of the team."

Domenicali clarified his believe that F1's ban on team orders is "incompatible with reality".

"F1 is a team sport, with the team working as a unit to achieve the best results. This should be said clearly to the public, rather than having an artificial rule that does not reflect reality.

"And everyone should be honest in this matter, even though I know there are those who need to build the pressure onto Ferrari.

"For me, the ban was an overreaction to the events of Austria in 2002.

"We have to be honest. It's common practice for drivers, and not only at Ferrari, to be involved with team decisions and to then act according to the requirements of the team.

"It is impossible to decide from case to case what is a team order and what is not."