Ferrari tactics wrong, say fans

Ferrari was wrong to order Felipe Massa to move aside for Fernando Alonso at last weekend's German Grand Prix, according to Castrol Rankings readers.

Massa had led virtually the whole race until he received a radio message from his engineer Rob Smedley, who told him: "Fernando is quicker than you. Can you confirm you understood that?"

The next lap Massa lifted off exiting the hairpin and allowed his team-mate to pass. Smedley told him: "Good lad. Sorry," again over the radio.

While Ferrari denies that it imposed team orders, which are banned, the team was fined US$100,000 by race stewards for the action and referred to the World Motorsport Council where it could face further punishments.

In a Castrol Rankings poll conducted this week, 64 per cent of readers disagreed with Ferrari's actions during the race.

However, most readers understood the reasons behind it.

"Everybody does it sometimes, sometimes in code, sometimes in case of who gets a new part first... this time it was a bit too obvious," said Jan Sergeant. "It was the best for Alonso's championship chances but it wasn't so good for the sport."

John Ambrose added: "Though I don't agree, every team has a lead driver - although they won't admit it."

Robin Moncaster said that Ferrari's case was simply being highlighted more than that of other teams.

"It happens all the time. If it was any team other than Ferrari nobody would care," he said.

Have your say on the team orders debate now. Go to facebook.com/castrolrankings.