The team orders ban was implemented into F1 following the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, when Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was told by his team to let Michael Schumacher pass him for the win. The Brazilian did that on the first hundreds of meters of the race, leading to some intense criticism from the media and fans alike. Consequently, the FIA president at the time, Max Mosley, decided to ban such team tactics from the series.
The discussion about team orders has been reopened during the 2010 F1 season, when Ferrari hinted to Felipe Massa to let his teammate Fernando Alonso pass for victory in the German Grand Prix. The Scuderia was fined $100,000 for their actions, while no other disciplinary actions were taken against the Prancing Horse. However, the majority of the F1 pundits agreed that banning team orders in the series is ridiculous, as F1 is as much a team sport as it is an individual battle.
However, the FIA did mention, in their new rulebook for 2011, that actions that bring the sport to disrepute will be severely punished. However, the governing body avoided to further clarify what those actions might be.
“Teams will be reminded that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code and any other relevant provisions,” said the FIA.
Additional rule changes for the future of the series include new four-cylinder turbo engine formula for 2013, including a five-engine per driver limit in 2013 reducing to four engines in 2014. Additionally, in 2011, gearboxes must be used for five consecutive races instead of four as was the case this year, and cars will feature moveable rear wings to boost overtaking.
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