Breaking news
Formula 1
Williams apologises after Massa team order
Claire William told reporters that the biggest regret was the way the team told Felipe Massa to let Valtteri Bottas pass him.
GMM
Edited: Apr 4, 2014, 8:16 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Apr.4 (GMM) Williams has apologised to its drivers and its fans after the Malaysian team orders saga.
Deputy boss Claire Williams told reporters in Bahrain that the biggest regret was the way Felipe Massa was told to give way to teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Indeed, Massa on Thursday was quoted by Brazil's Globo as saying that when he was told 'Valtteri is faster than you', he immediately thought of Hockenheim 2010, when Ferrari moved him out of the way of Fernando Alonso.
"Of course I thought about it. When I heard that phrase it almost seemed like a joke," he said.
Claire Williams admitted: "Certainly the instruction given in the way it was given, considering (Massa's) history, wasn't the most advised."
But Massa insists that he ignored the order not because of the way it was given, but because moving aside in that scenario "was not right".
"Our fans expect us as a team to let our drivers race, and that's the overriding disappointment," Williams agreed.
"So to our fans we want to apologise because we didn't handle it in the best way.
"Of course, we've apologised to our drivers, which was the right thing to do at the end of the day," she added.
However, not everyone agrees with Massa and Williams.
Double world champion Mika Hakkinen thinks the Brazilian's emotions simply "boiled over" when he heard the Ferrari-like team order issued.
But "I believe it will be made clear to Massa that when instructions are made, they must be followed," the Finn said in a column for Hermes.
When asked if he would have moved over had Williams ordered him in the same way, Bottas said in Bahrain: "Yes, if they asked me to, I would.
"If I knew I could not race someone and he could, it would be fair.
"Sometimes team orders are just necessary to get the most points for the team," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.
Massa, however, insists it is not him who should be apologising after Malaysia.
"When I do something that is my mistake, I will be the first one to say sorry," he said. "And the team was the first one to say sorry" after Malaysia.
But that doesn't mean Williams won't issue team orders again in the future.
"There are some things which are quite confidential with the team's rules and how you play it," said Bottas. "There are different scenarios, and everything's sorted."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari, Ecclestone want quick F1 rule changes
Next article Hamilton 'unbeatable when focused' - Lauda
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Felipe Massa
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
More from
Ferrari
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
20 h
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Latest news
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
11 min
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
13 min
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC WEC 41 min
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe