Ferrari issued radio message to ‘motivate’ Massa

Ferrari argued on Wednesday that Felipe Massa decided to let Fernando Alonso pass him for the race lead at Hockenheim because the Brazilian was angry.

As was rumoured before the World Motor Sport Council’s disciplinary sitting in Paris, the Maranello based team rejected the charge that it imposed an illegal team order that deprived Massa of the German GP victory.

Carlos Gracia, president of Spain’s motor racing federation, was present for the hearing, and later revealed the apparent thrust of Ferrari’s argument to Spanish radio Cadena SER.

“Massa was told that he was slower than Alonso to motivate him,” said Gracia.

“Angered by the message, Massa decided to slow down, and this led to the suspicions (about team orders),” he added.

Gracia also revealed that he has spoken to Alonso, who knows “nothing” about the imposition of a team order.

© RIF | GMM