Alonso wins GP; Ferrari is fined

Associated Press

HOCKENHEIM, Germany

Fernando Alonso won the German Grand Prix on Sunday for Ferrari, but the team was fined $100,000 afterward for orchestrating his pass of teammate Felipe Massa.

Race stewards didn’t overturn Ferrari’s 1-2 finish, choosing to send the case to the sport’s governing body, which could impose more sanctions. Team orders that affect the result of a race are forbidden under Formula One rules.

“In the interests of the sport, we have decided not to go through a procedure of appealing against it, confident that the [FIA] world council will know how to evaluate the overall facts correctly,” Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali said.

Alonso had more points in the title race and the team apparently felt it would be better served if he collected the 25 points that go to the winner rather than Massa.

“I don’t think I have to say anything to that,” Massa said when asked after the race about the instructions. “We work for the team.”

There was no immediate comment from Ferrari.

Massa, racing on the first anniversary of a crash that nearly killed him, led the race for 49 of 67 laps before he was passed by Alonso following communications from Ferrari over the team radio. He looked unhappy after the race and the two drivers barely hugged as they climbed out of their red cars.

Stewards said Ferrari was in breach of Article 39.1 of the International Auto Federation (FIA) 2010 sporting regulations.

Article 39.1 says: “Team orders that interfere with race results are prohibited.”

Sebastian Vettel of Germany was third in his Red Bull. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren was fourth.