Yes, the "This is ridiculous" statement, when Fernando knew he was clearly faster. So Alonso drops back to let Masa open a gap. Smedley starts the cheerleading. Then Alonso eats Masa up, while Hamilton is nipping at Alonso's heels. Alonso proves a case that he can pass Masa while technically complying with the Sporting regulations. Better than wrecking Masa, like Seb did to Weber. So Fernando did ALOT more than register 1 word complaint (We will never know whether there was more said). But regardless, Alonso's driving did the politicing. A lesser driver would crash out his teamate.
After he got by, Alonso opened a gap. Hamilton closed down on Masa and almost got in at the end. So would it have been better for the team if Alonso said nothing, stuck under Masa's wing and risked getting crashed out by Hamilton, who still has a chip on his shoulder? Faster car gets by and the second driver holds off the late charges from the field is how it usually goes. Why should this year be different? Alonso is blameless.
Personally, I feel Alonso has bee truly the root of alot of vile behavior in F1 and he IS to blame for so many atrocious behaviors (the crash while he was at Renault, holding up Hamilton while at McClaren.
Yes, Fernando was down in Piquet's foot box holding down the pedal, when the car went into the wall. Fernando also had a sniper in the stands, just in case Flavio wanted to back out ot the deal. C'mon!
Any yes, Fernando crossed the line when he held Hamilton. But I had the sense that management favored a young Brit to win the championship as a rookie on the back of Fernando's skills in developing and setting up the car. He had earnd the No.1 driver's spot, which the team of Brits took from him becuase he was a Spaniard. So I don't blame him. And here is what happens to your Driver Championship, when you put all your chips on a rookie:
Vindication Alonso.
Would I cut around with him? No F—king way.
I have never seen Fernando drive maliciously or even unduly dangerously. He could have stayed on track and been wrecked at Sliverstone when Kubica bombed him. But he gave way. Would Hamilton, Weber or Seb have the wherewithal to have dirven similarly? I don't think so.
And OK, OK. I am an Alonso fan! ;) Now for an update:
FIA Still Considering Ferrari Hearing Date: The FIA is still not ready to set a date for the hearing about the Ferrari team orders affair. It has been reported this week that the team's one-two finish at Hockenheim will be considered during the regular World Motor Sport Council meeting in Como, Italy, on Sept. 10. But that date clashes with Friday free practice at Monza. "The relevant committees are consulting about it (a date for the Ferrari hearing)," a spokesman for the Paris-based federation is quoted in the German press.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-formula-one-grand-prix-news-briefs/
While sympathising with fans angry about Ferrari's controversial maneuver in Germany, Ross Brawn insists the ban on team orders is outdated.
"I understand how F1 fans might be disappointed by what they have seen on Sunday," Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"The rule that bans team orders is not realistic anymore. The teams and the FIA must find together a transparent solution that maintains the integrity of the competition and safeguards the sport."
Brawn is no stranger to team orders, having applied them during his time at Ferrari in Michael Schumacher's heyday and admits that Mercedes GP would implement them under the right circumstances. "Our drivers are asked to avoid clashing against each other," explained Brawn, "and if one has the chance to take the title while the other one doesn't, we want both of them to act in the interest of the team without throwing away that opportunity," he added.
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/18227/6283308/Brawn-team-orders-ban-unrealistic
