Brawn joins calls for team orders overhaul

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn believes the rule regarding team orders is now unrealistic and in need of an urgent overhaul.

Ferrari were fined 100,000 US dollars after Sunday's German Grand Prix for contravening the regulation that specifically stipulates 'team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.'

The matter has since been referred to the World Motor Sport Council who may yet impose further sanctions against Ferrari.

The incident, however, has since sparked widespread debate on whether the regulation should now be scrapped.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone earlier this week told Press Association Sport team principals should be allowed to run their organisations as they see fit, and that the rule is something that "needs to be discussed."

Brawn, whilst appreciating the anger of the thousands of fans who felt cheated after what unfolded at Hockenheim when Felipe Massa was given coded messages to allow Fernando Alonso by, is of the same mind.

"I understand how F1 fans might be disappointed by what they saw on Sunday," said Brawn.

"The rule that bans team orders is not realistic anymore, so the teams and the FIA must together find a transparent solution that maintains the integrity of the competition and safeguards the sport."

The rule was introduced after the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix when, for the second year running at the A1-Ring, Rubens Barrichello was told by then team principal and current FIA president Jean Todt to cede to Michael Schumacher and give him the win.

Brawn, who was an integral part of the Ferrari team those days, is convinced team orders have their place in Formula One.

"Our drivers are asked to avoid clashing against each other," said Brawn of Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg.

"If one has the chance to take the title while the other doesn't, we want both of them to act in the interests of the team without throwing away that opportunity."