McLaren drivers free to race

(GMM) Unlike Red Bull and perhaps also Ferrari, McLaren's two drivers are free to race when running first and second.

Red Bull's Christian Horner admitted in Shanghai that when his drivers are dominating, the actual wheel-to-wheel racing ends at the first corner.

And although Felipe Massa denies it, it is rumored that a similar policy is in place at Ferrari.

But towards the end of Sunday's Chinese grand prix, it appeared that race leader Jenson Button and teammate Lewis Hamilton were still challenging one another for the victory.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh confirmed: "It was a very long race for us. In the end, we allowed them to race each other freely, which was a bit nerve-wracking.

"Would I have been happier if they had held station to the end? Of course, as I would now have a few less grey hairs," he is quoted as saying in the German press.

"But it was exciting racing from the first lap to the last, and good for the show," added Whitmarsh. "That's the way it should be."

Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali played down suggestions Fernando Alonso's overtaking of Felipe Massa in the pitlane entry – leaving the Brazilian momentarily on the grass – will compromise the harmony within the team.

Massa told reporters that they should "ask Charlie, not me" about the incident, referring to the race director and adjudicator Charlie Whiting.

But Domenicali said: "I think it was just a racing incident and there is absolutely no problem between the two drivers: when you are always racing to win, you can have moments like this.