Fw: SPOILER: F-1 results. Complaints, anyone?

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

In a message dated 5/13/2002 Michael L. Riebs writes:

<< Did nobody watch the race, or it the shameful handing over of the win
just too painful to discuss? >>

Yeah, I got up at 5:00am to watch the race, and yeah, I am a bit
disgusted and really feel sorry for Ruebens. This is being discussed at
length in all the forums I visit regularly. I am a big fan of Schumacher
which almost makes it more difficult for me to accept. Apparently
Schumacher tried to slow when Ruebens pulled over and slowed, but then
Ruebens slowed more and they crossed the line. Supposedly the drivers
did not know the orders 'till that last turn on the last lap.

This is nothing new in the world of F1 like some of the press would like
everyone to believe. This type of team orders thing dates back to the
1950s (where it helped Fangio win one of his 5 World Driver's
Championships) in F1 so it has reared it's ugly head throughout the
"modern era" despite loud noises to the contrary I am hearing now.
Believe what you wish, visit the various motorsports forums to learn
more (with a grain of salt of course), but this has been going on for
years and has helped many win championships over the years. In F1
"teams" indeed are "teams" and not just racing operations with multiple
cars as found in US racing.

I liken it to another team sport I follow called professional bicycle
racing. Does anyone really believe an individual can win the Tour de
France without an organized team's help and team orders? I know this is
not quite the same thing, and I do feel the fans in the stands in
Austria and Ruebens got screwed.

Some really interesting comments made in post race interviews with the
top three drivers after the press conference. Publicly it sounds like
Schumacher is taking it harder than Ruebens. Interestingly enough I got
the impression that Montoya understood the decision and accepted it. I
gather Ferrari and their drivers are being called before the FIA, but I
gather that is for the breech in etiquette on the podium and in the
press conference, not for the move itself.

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com