3
Bernie Ecclestone has praised Ferrari's decision to resist imposing team orders in Austria.
Sebastian Vettel could have extended his championship lead beyond a single point in Austria, but Ferrari decided instead to leave Kimi Raikkonen in second place.
"Everyone can take an example from Ferrari's sportsmanship," Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, told Sport Bild.
It was in stark contrast to the same race in 2002, when Jean Todt famously told Rubens Barrichello to "let Michael (Schumacher) pass for the championship".
Ecclestone said: "It would have been easy to wave Vettel past shortly before the end, but Ferrari didn't.
"So they kept up not only sporting fairness, but also Kimi's morale," he added.
Ecclestone said he is happy Ferrari is a true contender for the 2018 world championship.
"Ferrari has finally made the step I was waiting for for so long," said the 87-year-old.
"Sebastian really deserves the title. Hopefully it doesn't hurt him that Ferrari gave up those three points," Ecclestone said.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
280,442 comments on Aston Martin
59 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Sebastian Vettel
483,522 comments on Ferrari 279 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
Replies (3)
Login to replyblade
Posts: 341
Slow down Bernie !!!! I see Max and Daniel having a say in this years championship, let's not write them off yet. Ferrari's sportsmanship was notable by the fact they did NOT insist they let SV though - they have long been advocates of team orders and it was surprising. Bravo Arrivabene !
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Currently yes, but later on I think the Renault engines will punish them once the PU penalties begins raining in.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Finally BE says something I agree with.