Ferrari may launch civil action against FIA

The action will be launched if the sport’s governing body decides to shed their points from the German Grand Prix.

MARANELLO, ITALY: Ferrari are set to launch civil action against the FIA if the sport’s governing body decides to shed their points from the German Grand Prix.

According to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the FIA is to hold a hearing at the World Motor Sport Council next month and despite several of the sport’s leading figures vouching for the team to be stripped of their points, the Italian team are prepared to defend their team standings.

Ferrari were handed a $100,000 fine for implementing team orders during the race after leader Felipe Massa moved over to let Fernando Alonso past to win, and as result have attracted a lot of criticism.

Ferrari’s most likely defence would be to argue that the team orders should be permitted, so long as they do not impact the races of rival teams.

But former FIA president Max Mosley believes that the FIA has a duty to the public to uphold the integrity of the sport.

“Most teams are calling for the withdrawal of team orders, which I can understand, because it’s in their interests,” said Mosley. “But if we are to meet the needs of the public, who are in their millions, then we need to keep the ban.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2010.