close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Ecclestone praises Ferrari's Austria behaviour

Photo: © LAT Images

Ecclestone praises Ferrari's Austria behaviour

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Bernie Ecclestone has praised Ferrari's "sportsmanship" after Kimi Raikkonen was not instructed to let Sebastian Vettel finish ahead of him at the Austrian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton's DNF in Spielberg opened the door for Vettel to move to the top of the championship, although his lead is just one point after finishing behind his team-mate at the Red Bull Ring.

Mercedes' strategy blunder opened the door for Vettel to leapfrog Hamilton and for Ferrari to replace the Silver Arrows atop the team standings ahead of the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton has won at Silverstone in each of the past four years, so will be expected to reclaim top spot, and the tight nature of the championship means the three points Vettel missed out on by finishing third in Austria could be crucial.

Although Ferrari's history is littered with incidents of team orders, they opted to let Raikkonen keep his second place in Austria, a move that impressed Ecclestone.

"Everyone can take an example from Ferrari's sportsmanship," Ecclestone told Sport Bild.

"It would have been easy to wave Vettel past shortly before the end, but Ferrari didn't.

"So they kept up not only sporting fairness, but also Kimi's morale.

"Ferrari has finally made the step I was waiting for so long.

"Sebastian really deserves the title. Hopefully it doesn't hurt him that Ferrari gave up those three points."

Just in

17:57
Shock plans for F1 Danish Grand Prix emerge
16:55
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Meet Max Verstappen's team-mates for iconic race this weekend
16:18
F1 News Today: Aston Martin announcement 'expected' as team reveal major upgrade package
15:59
George Russell's brazen F1 claim is already coming back to bite him at Mercedes
15:09
Inside Max Verstappen's radical preparation for Nurburgring 24 Hours race: No sleep for F1 star
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Meet Max Verstappen's team-mates for iconic race this weekend Nurburgring 24 Hours

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Meet Max Verstappen's team-mates for iconic race this weekend

1 hour ago
Inside Max Verstappen's radical preparation for Nurburgring 24 Hours race: No sleep for F1 star Nurburgring 24 Hours

Inside Max Verstappen's radical preparation for Nurburgring 24 Hours race: No sleep for F1 star

3 hours ago
Red Bull placed on red alert as FIA president confirms multi-team ownership investigation Red Bull

Red Bull placed on red alert as FIA president confirms multi-team ownership investigation

Today 13:55
F1 legend Lewis Hamilton in 'feels like home' emotional Mercedes reunion Lewis Hamilton

F1 legend Lewis Hamilton in 'feels like home' emotional Mercedes reunion

Today 12:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x