Team orders
A team order, also called team orders or team orders, is an expression of a competition policy, particularly in cycling and motorsports. An order ( from the French: Ordre ) means command, precept, etc.
The team order is an instruction by the team leader of a racing team to his traveling athlete - whatever their level and often against their victory quest - to put a certain action.
It can be a general instruction which is pronounced before the race about in the team meeting.
However, the team orders can also respond to current events about by pit radio and take in this way directly on the race course influence.
You always causes discussion. In particular, contrary to the actual competition Thoughts "May the best man win " and the displeasure of the spectators on race unspectacular political victories without interesting competition maneuvers play a role.
In cycling, it is a common for decades and completely accepted method.
Examples
- 2002, Austria, A1-Ring, Formula 1, Ferrari: In the last round was Rubens Barrichello at the behest of his team happen just before the finish line, his team-mate Michael Schumacher to give him the victory. The crowd reacted angrily and kicked the wrong in their view of race winner. Schumacher himself left then at the award ceremony Barrichello the top podium. With the change of place on the podium, the driver of the Regulations and the Motor Sports Association FIA violated imposed on Ferrari to a fine of U.S. $ 1,000,000. For next season, the rules have changed and the FIA said the team order.
- 2005, 125 cc Motorcycle World Championship, KTM: Gabor Talmacsi overtook the Grand Prix of Qatar in opposition to the team orders his team- mate Mika Kallio on the last corner. KTM denied this team order. Kallio was at the end of the season with a gap of five points on the Swiss Thomas Luthi vice world champion, he would have won the race, he would have become world champion.
- 2010 In Grand Prix of Germany 2010 Massa's race engineer Rob Smedley had told his protégé on radio: " Fernando is faster than you Can you confirm that you have understood this message? " The Brazilian made his Spanish team-mate then a short time ( in round 49) happen later by briefly went off the gas. Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley radioed to Massa: " Sorry", public recognition of the team command. The case was investigated by the FIA , and subject to a $ 100,000 penalty. Within the formula 1 was followed by a controversial discussion about the provability of an indirect team orders. This case led to the ban on team orders in 2011 removed again from the FIA regulations.