News On F1 - Formula 1 News, Results, Information and Statistics

Formula 1 Store
F1 Tickets, Tours, Gear
F1 Books
& Biographies

Williams apologises after Massa team order


Formula 1 News - April, 2014

F1 Merchandise
Main Page
Formula 1 News
2016 F1 Schedule
2016 F1 Line-up
2015 F1 Results
F1 Teams
F1 Drivers
10 'n' Pole
Register - Submit
F1 Regulations
The Forums
Live F1 Coverage
Motorsport Shop
UK - USA
Motorsport Calendar
Tim's Blog

F1 Merchandise UK
F1 Merchandise USA

F1 Tours
F1 Tickets
F1 Diecast
F1 Videos
F1 Games
F1 Trivia
NewsOnF1 on Twitter
MotoGP Tickets
Past Formula 1 Seasons
2014 F1 Results
2013 F1 Results
2012 F1 Results
2011 F1 Results
2010 F1 Results
2009 F1 Results
2008 F1 Results
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results

2002 F1 Results

2001 F1 Results

2000 F1 Results

1999 F1 Results

1998 F1 Results

1997 F1 Results
Links
Translate
Search
Contact Us
About
Archives
Your Say
Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic
Controversy Corner
The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer
F1 Testing
F1 Team Reports
8 'n' Pole
2010 World Cup
2006 World Cup


Apr.4 (GMM) Williams has apologised to its drivers and its fans after the Malaysian team orders saga.

Deputy boss Claire Williams told reporters in Bahrain that the biggest regret was the way Felipe Massa was told to give way to teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Indeed, Massa on Thursday was quoted by Brazil's Globo as saying that when he was told 'Valtteri is faster than you', he immediately thought of Hockenheim 2010, when Ferrari moved him out of the way of Fernando Alonso.

"Of course I thought about it. When I heard that phrase it almost seemed like a joke," he said.

Claire Williams admitted: "Certainly the instruction given in the way it was given, considering (Massa's) history, wasn't the most advised."

But Massa insists that he ignored the order not because of the way it was given, but because moving aside in that scenario "was not right".

"Our fans expect us as a team to let our drivers race, and that's the overriding disappointment," Williams agreed.

"So to our fans we want to apologise because we didn't handle it in the best way.

"Of course, we've apologised to our drivers, which was the right thing to do at the end of the day," she added.

However, not everyone agrees with Massa and Williams.

Double world champion Mika Hakkinen thinks the Brazilian's emotions simply "boiled over" when he heard the Ferrari-like team order issued.

But "I believe it will be made clear to Massa that when instructions are made, they must be followed," the Finn said in a column for Hermes.

When asked if he would have moved over had Williams ordered him in the same way, Bottas said in Bahrain: "Yes, if they asked me to, I would.

"If I knew I could not race someone and he could, it would be fair.

"Sometimes team orders are just necessary to get the most points for the team," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Massa, however, insists it is not him who should be apologising after Malaysia.

"When I do something that is my mistake, I will be the first one to say sorry," he said. "And the team was the first one to say sorry" after Malaysia.

But that doesn't mean Williams won't issue team orders again in the future.

"There are some things which are quite confidential with the team's rules and how you play it," said Bottas. "There are different scenarios, and everything's sorted."

comments powered by Disqus
If you are using Internet Explorer, make sure you set your document mode to IE 8 (Alt+8) or via F12 to see and add comments

10 'n' Pole Formula 1 Tipping Competition - Have fun and win - Register

Latest Formula 1 News Headlines
09 Aug: F1 should start 2021 engine planning now - officials Comments
09 Aug: F1's Brazilian duo face uncertain future Comments
08 Aug: Bottas has Renault 'offer' - source Comments
08 Aug: Only 'good offer' would restart F1 career - Buemi Comments
08 Aug: Rosberg lacks Hamilton's 'killer instinct' - Marko Comments
08 Aug: Only new rules can stop Mercedes - Alonso Comments
08 Aug: Newey 'fully motivated again' - Horner Comments
05 Aug: Ecclestone credits Verstappen for Heineken deal Comments
05 Aug: Montezemolo struggles to hold tongue over Ferrari Comments
05 Aug: Wehrlein defends performance against Haryanto Comments
04 Aug: Ecclestone to 'sell' F1 radio coms - report Comments
04 Aug: Sirotkin in running for Renault seat - father Comments
04 Aug: Hulkenberg hails McLaren-Honda progress Comments
04 Aug: Marko plays down Kvyat axe rumours Comments
04 Aug: Renault could turn blue for 2017 - reports Comments
03 Aug: Mercedes, McLaren in dispute over engineer Comments
03 Aug: Wolff urges Renault to sign Ocon Comments
03 Aug: Lauda to help Rosberg bounce back Comments
03 Aug: Father defends Magnussen's F1 commitment Comments
03 Aug: Marchionne 'not satisfied' but staying the course Comments

The latest Formula 1 News

Back to the main news page

Back To Top


 
F1 Tickets
Chinese F1 GP
Belgian F1 GP
Singapore F1 GP
Italian F1 GP
Abu Dhabi F1 GP
US F1 GP
Few tickets still available
MotoGP Tickets
British MotoGP
Czech Republic MotoGP
San Marino MotoGP
Valencia MotoGP
more Motorsport Tours & Holidays

Official 2012 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2012 Annual

F1 Merchandise US

F1 Merchandise UK

Formula 1 Yearbooks


Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers