Team orders are not controversial, said no body ever. So the Russian Grand Prix was left behind with the sour taste of bitterness. For most, not just Bottas or Mercedes fans. Team Orders have been legal and illegal but the past weekend’s Grand Prix provides drama and brought up the age old team orders debate once again.
It's not like team orders are new
Right, let’s talk about this Grand Prix’s moment. That moment Bottas let Hamilton through. So team orders were for Hamilton to basically win the race. It would give a 50 point lead to Hamilton. All of us understand why they did those team orders right? Well for the people who don’t, let’s expand why.
The first and foremost priority for any and every team is points, points equal prizes. Mercedes need all the points they can get, they say before the weekend started 452 point with Ferrari adrift to them by 37 points at 415 points. So Mercedes went to Russia, and to say they were ahead is an understatement they were ahead by miles, and in qualifying around four tenths I believe. But, Mercedes looked on for a one two all weekend, especially after qualifying, so no matter the result they would get the maximum points score of 43. So for them this is the plan they stick too. So once they knew this would happen, they could try to switch attention to the Driver’s title. Bottas, whom has a half as many points as his British teammate, was on for a win, and it was his race to win. Hamilton already had a 40-point gap to his championship rival Vettel. But 50 points is better than 43 points. So Mercedes had to switch their drivers to take the gap out even further. It’s is understandable.
It’s not like team orders are new, they are a historic thing embedded in the sport. But, team orders have always been heavily associated with the Italian team, Ferrari, whom have always gone about having a clear number 1 and clear number 2, so they could deploy team orders. No matter what everyone would be outraged if Ferrari had done it. But, the points to Ferrari right now are more valuable than Mercedes, Mercedes very much have a hand in the trophy and the same for Hamilton. So to extend the lead more it’s a given.
The way people are talking about these team orders, is as if they are illegal. Now it’s not 2010, and we are not in Hockenheim here. Back in 2010 they were illegal to use, and this has and probably always will be one of the most controversial moments in F1, was Ferrari’s illegal use of team orders.
But Ferrari have always historically been that team. The team that uses team orders, they’ve never been afraid to use them. Everyone knows Barichello and Schumacher, both talent but one was the shining light and team orders were constantly used by Todt, Brawn and the rest of their team to let Schumacher win races. To the point where, Barichello slowed down at the last corner right before the finish, to let Schumacher win. Easily one of the most shocking moments in formula one- Austria 2002.
But Mercedes, their use of team orders, was not the first time this year. They kind of deprived us fans of a battle in Germany. But really they didn’t as they were sent out once Hamilton had fended off Bottas.
Ferrari, they use them often. Most thought, if Vettel and Hamilton had not touched, that they would have used them to let Vettel win. They used them in Germany. Raikkonen’s engineer tried to make it not he what occluded in 2010 but it came off like it. They uses them in Monaco in 2017 to let Vettel win.
These guys use them because it’s a tactical game. And each driver wants to win, but the game the team wants to play, doesn’t allow that. The tactical game which Mercedes have throughly won this season, but thats another post. Mercedes and Ferrari have to play and deploy tactic to win and if it means team orders, team orders will comes the driver’s way. So deploying team orders is almost a needed thing.
But, yes it was needed to be done and was a smart move for the championship. It was almost away to signal that this championship belongs to Mercedes and Hamilton but did they need to do it? Yes. But were the majority of us happy about it? No.
Personally I jumped up and my sofa and screamed at the television “NO MERCEDES NO!” As soon as I saw Toto clicking that tactical button I knew what was heading our way.
Honestly, it is to do with the fact Bottas, he’s a likeable guy, and he doesn’t do much wrong to his team or any other drivers. His luck this year, it’s been somewhat unfortunate and that is why so many of us felt for him during this time. I wanted him to win, I felt as though he deserved it. But, we could probably all sense those orders were on their way.
Formula one is a team sport, at the end of the day. And team orders will forever be apart of the sport, whether it legal or illegal according to the rules. They will always be there and a team sport, even though most drivers driver for themselves, they have to stick to what their team wants unless you want your contract ripped in half. Oh and of course unless your Dad owns the team.
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