Formula One Drops Ban on Team Orders

Topics:  Formula 1

Formula One's governing body has announced that the ban on team orders will be lifted beginning next season. This allows for situations where a driver can let a teammate pass him during races.

Team orders have long been a contentious issue in F1 and were outlawed in 2002. This year Ferrari received a $100,000 fine after Brazilian driver Felipe Massa let teammate Fernando Alonso of Spain overtake him, following radio messages, to win the German Grand Prix.

The World Motor Sport Council met in Monaco on Friday to discuss a series of rule changes that will be begin in March of next year.

Other major changes will be implemented a little later with new engines to be introduced in 2013. Greener four-cylinder 1.6 liter engines will replace the 2.4 V8 engines currently used.

In addition, starting in 2012 teams' in-race strategies will be made more transparent with a new rule stating that their communications will be made available to broadcasters.