F1 News
Date: 25/October/2012
Ferrari has denied making a political statement by running the flag of the Italian navy on the cars of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa during this weekend’s Indian F1 Grand Prix.
“Ferrari pays tribute to one of the outstanding entities of our country, also in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution to the situation currently involving two sailors from the Italian Navy”, said a Ferrari statement.
The sailors are facing trial in India following the deaths of two local fishermen in February, whom the sailors are reported to have mistaken for pirates.
FIA rules strictly prohibit teams from making any ‘political statements’ and Ferrari insists that expressing “hope of a solution” is not a political statement. But many Indians - including some in the government - are clearly unhappy and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali found himself being grilled about the gesture.
“I think that if you look at what is written in the press statement it [the flag] is not really what you are saying [a political statement],” he said. “You have to look at what is written exactly, and the reason why we put that on. There's not any political intention or discussion in that.”
On track, Ferrari’s title contender Alonso finished Friday’s practice sessions in third place, behind Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Reigning double champion Vettel holds a slim six-point advantage over Alonso with four rounds to go.
“At the moment we are behind and we need to fight, believing that it is possible because that’s the spirit I want to see within the team,” said Domenicali of the Championship battle.
“And if Sebastian - or anyone else, because we need to respect everyone - wins, they will deserve it, and we will congratulate them. But up to that moment, we will fight with every resource we have.”
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