Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ferrari treated Formula One fans "like muppets" and ought to be punished further, according to former team boss Eddie Jordan.
The Italian marque today face a World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris to look into Fernando Alonso's German Grand Prix victory, with Ferrari standing accused of using team orders, which are banned in Formula One, to engineer the result.
Ferrari were fined 100,00 (£64,745) by race stewards after Alonso passed team-mate Felipe Massa in the closing stages to claim victory at Hockenheim.
Ferrari's argument will centre on the fact that no explicit order was given to Massa for him to cede the lead, and eventually the win, to Alonso.
Instead, Massa was simply told twice by engineer Rob Smedley over the pit-to-car radio that Alonso was faster than him, the message repeated as the Brazilian did not respond to the initial remark.
But Jordan told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was very blatant. I think they should get a bigger penalty. What happens if Alonso gets away scott free and goes on to win (the title) by two points from whoever?
"What Ferrari did was they showed no respect the public, they treated us all like muppets, they broke the rule and they have to pay the penalty."
Whether former Ferrari chief and current FIA president Jean Todt attends the hearing or not, Jordan believes he will have a big input into the outcome.
"(Former president) Max Mosley didn't always attend these meetings but his thought process was very much in evidence," said Jordan. "(Todt's) decision will be embedded in that body of people."
Jordan urged the FIA not to give Ferrari special treatment.
"I've lived with it for 40 years now," he said. "It used to be far worse. People used to think the FIA stood for Ferrari International Assistance.
"Ferrari are important, but they must treat everybody with respect. What they did was so blatant.
"Had they done it in a different way they might have got away with it.
"This was so, so obvious, they have to be punished."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments