Ferrari Win Controversial German Grand Prix

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by: Osborne
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Word Count: 442
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 Time: 7:48 PM
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Most people were expecting a Red Bull or McLaren victory at this year's German Grand Prix - but Ferrari surprised both to come and second.

The race features 17 turns and runs 67 laps. The circuit length is 4.574 km and the race distance is 306.458 km.

The Hockenheimring underwent significant redesign in 2002. Today, it is a safer track, albeit still challenging, with its longer straights modified to keep the speeds down.

Saturday's qualifying session resulted in Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel securing the pole position. This was a victory in itself for the Red Bull team, who were able to beat the fast Ferrari's in the qualifying session.

It was apparent in these sessions that Ferrari's homework over the past few weeks had paid off. Their cars were more competitive and they rose to the challenge on the Saturday. When qualifying was over, Alonso and Massa sat in second and third spot respectively on the starting grid for Sundays GP race.

Although starting from pole, it wasn't to be for Vettel once the race began. As he fought with Alonso for position off the start, Felipe Massa snuck by both of them to take over the lead. Apparently it seemed that a lightning fast Sunday drive was in store for the Ferrari team.

Alonso got through the opening of the race maintaining his second position, and chased Massa. Vettel was now in third spot, unable to match the dueling Ferrari's race-day pace.

It was largely uneventful for the Ferrari's as the race progressed. In fact, Felipe Massa held onto his lead until Lap 49.

It was here that the race complexion changed. It changed so much that the maneuvering's of the Ferrari's are now under investigation by racing authorities.

On Lap 49 Felipe Massa slowed his car and gave way to team-mate Alonso. He had earlier received a radio message from the team saying that Alonso was faster.

He did not receive a direct order stating that he should slow down and give way, but it seemed an implied order. However, motor sport regulations make it clear that team orders that interfere with a race result are strictly prohibited. Most people who watched the race on television and blooged about it later with the latest news and articles.

Post-race Ferrari denied any wrongdoing. The FIA race stewards disagreed and slapped Ferrari with a US$100,000 fine.

It doesn't end there for Ferrari, either. This incident has now gone to the World Motor Sport Council for investigation.

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