MARANELLO, Italy (AP) — Ferrari chief Luca Di Montezemolo has backed the team in the aftermath of a passing rules violation during the German Grand Prix.
The Italian team was found guilty of breaking team order rules and fined $100,000 after Felipe Massa appeared to let teammate Fernando Alonso pass him to win the race Sunday.
Massa led the Formula One race for 49 of 67 laps before he was passed by Alonso following Ferrari messages over the team radio.
Article 39.1 outlaws teams giving orders during a race. Ferrari says that the drivers arrived at the decision independently.
Di Montezemolo told ANSA news agency Monday: “I’m not interested in arguing. I will repeat what I always tell my drivers and that is when they drive for Ferrari the team always comes first.”
