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Radio message meant to motivate Massa - Ferrari

ESPNF1 Staff
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Rob Smedley issued a radio message to Felipe Massa on lap 49 of the German Grand Prix © Sutton Images
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Ferrari said that the radio message issued to Felipe Massa during the German Grand Prix was merely meant to motivate the Brazilian to drive faster.

On lap 49 at Hockenheim, Ferrari driver Felipe Massa conceded the lead to team-mate Fernando Alonso after receiving a radio message from his engineer Rob Smedley saying: "Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?"

Massa then slowed down to let Alonso past but Ferrari argued on Wednesday that he did so because he was angered by the nature of the message.

Ferrari escaped punishment for its manipulation of the German Grand Prix result after a World Motor Sport Council's disciplinary sitting in Paris ruled in the team's favour.

Carlos Gracia, president of Spain's motor racing federation, revealed the thrust of Ferrari's argument to Spanish radio Cadena SER.

"Massa was told that he was slower than Alonso to motivate him," said Gracia. "Angered by the message, Massa decided to slow down, and this led to the suspicions [about team orders]."

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