Of team orders and tragic memories in the Formula One lane

The 2013 Formula One season may be only two races old, but it has already conjured up a new ‘team orders’ controversy that has divided opinion and prompted tragic memories.

Sebastian Vettel’s ill-planned decision, taken in the heat of the moment, to ignore his Red Bull team’s order to stay second behind Mark Webber in last Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix has stirred up the eternal debate about the sport’s true identity — is it racing between teams or individual drivers?

Does it matter that Vettel has visited Milton Keynes and apologised to team members after saying sorry to Webber and, reportedly, shaking his hand during the team’s traditional de-brief following the race at Sepang?

Does it matter that Webber has, allegedly, accepted the apology and moved on, in the process confirming he will stay with Red Bull and race again as Vettel’s team-mate in the Chinese Grand Prix on April 14?

Does it matter that Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s ancient commercial ring-master, ensured that his predictable comments of approval for Vettel’s aggression were widely aired? Ultimately, in each case, no, it does not matter.  The well-used excuses trotted out this week by the Red Bull team chief Christian Horner, referring to the competitive instincts of racing drivers, deserve little time.

It is his job to control his drivers.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Horner revealed: “He’s (Vettel) said he can’t turn back the clock but he’s accepted what he did was wrong. “He’s apologised to the team and to every single member of staff for his actions.” There was no mention of disciplinary action and no suggestion, as former F1 driver John Watson had suggested this week, that Vettel should be banned.

The Sepang drama evoked memories for Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 champion, who recalled that his father Gilles died in 1982 after a similar incident when both he and Frenchman Didier Pironi were with Ferrari.

“Ignoring is just plain wrong. The best example is my father and Didier Pironi. Just look at the problems that caused,” he told Auto Bild. “His (Vettel’s) behaviour was just stupid. Such negative energy does not help the team.... and also, if he now needs help from Mark, he cannot be sure he will get it.”

Webber’s rugged stoicism has earned him many admirers. Vettel’s vanity and single-mindedness, as revealed last week, has cost him.