McLaren Insist They Will Not Be Emulating Ferrari

30 Jul 2010

McLaren have insisted that they will not be taking a leaf out of Ferrari's book as Lewis Hamilton says there will be no orders issued while they are racing.

Ferrari opened a floodgate of controversy as they told driver Felipe Massa that team-mate Fernando Alonso was travelling faster than him, a barely concealed order to allow the Spaniard to overtake him.

The illegal action has led to Ferrari being fined $100,000 and facing the backlash of criticism.

The criticism has been led by Red Bull Christian Horner and backed by the likes of McLaren's Jenson Button.

Ferrari were quick to defend their actions, stating that 'this kind of thing' has always happened in the world of Formula One, while Ferrari's president  Luca di Montezemolo who branded the outcry as “hypocrisy”.

Hamilton has said that his team will not operate on those terms, stating that everybody on team McLaren refuses to operate on an orders basis.

“We do not operate with team orders," said Hamilton.

"It's the way Jenson wants it, the way I want it, the way the team wants it."

He received backing from his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button who said that he disagrees with orders to issued to the drivers by their team, undoubtedly a pop at actions of his rivals at Hockhiem.

"I don't agree that team orders go on up and down the pit-lane. We don't have any at all, so that's not correct.” stated Button.

The Formula One drivers' championship has turned into a five-way battle between the McLaren pairing, Ferrari's Alonso and Red Bull's Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber with Lewis Hamilton currently topping the leader board.

BlueSQ, 888sport and Ladbrokes all offer 5/2 odds that Sebastien Vettel will take this year's F1 drivers' championship.