Schumacher had talk with Massa

Michael Schumacher has revealed he held a private conversation with Felipe Massa about the controversial events that unfolded in Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Massa has effectively become Ferrari's number two driver for the remainder of the season after being told, via coded messages, to allow team-mate Fernando Alonso to pass and collect the win. It was a situation that has since caused a storm in Formula One as team orders are banned, resulting in Ferrari being fined 100,000 US dollars.

"He is experienced enough not to need advice from me," said Schumacher at a Mercedes-Benz event in Budapest. "But I definitely had a little conversation with him, which was naturally of a private nature."

The incident has led to a great deal of debate this week as to whether the rule on team orders should be dropped.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes team principals should be allowed to run their organisations as they see fit.

But Mercedes motor sport vice-president Norbert Haug believes it is not as simple as that.

"It is definitely not a black and white decision. It's a difficult one," said Haug.

"If you allow it then the consequence will be you see overtaking manoeuvres that probably are not expected.

"And if you do not allow it then you have some issues with hidden strategies, or whatever, so we will not solve this problem today.

"You could say be very strict and punish everybody, but then it needs to be the same for everybody in the whole field."

Date published : 29 Jul 2010 - 13:02:02




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