Brawn rubbishes claims of Spanish team orders

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Monday 11th May 2009

Ross Brawn has sought to placate a clearly sore Rubens Barrichello by insisting no team orders came into play during the Spanish Grand Prix.

Barrichello was far from happy at the end of yesterday's race after having to settle for second behind Brawn GP team-mate Jenson Button who clinched his fourth win in five grands prix this season.

The Brazilian felt he should have won after superbly passing pole-sitter Button from third on the grid on the run down to the first corner at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

With both drivers on a three-stop strategy, and with Barrichello on a slightly heavier fuel load, the 36-year-old felt the win was his for the taking at that stage.

However, Barrichello was surprised to hear Brawn switched Button to a two-stopper just a lap prior to his first visit to the pits, and it proved decisive.

Barrichello is no stranger to team orders having been subjected to them at Ferrari when Michael Schumacher ruled the roost, and Brawn was again the tactical driving force.

After announcing he would quit should he "get a whiff of team orders", Brawn is adamant there was no such call.

Asked whether team orders had perhaps crossed Barrichello's mind, he replied: "I hope not because we're not (doing that).

"I think you saw at the first corner there are no team orders as Rubens made a great start to get past Jenson.

"I'd love to see Rubens win a race and his crew win a race because it would be great for the team.

"But there's no priority being given."

It is the first bumpy patch for Brawn on what has so far been a very smooth ride throughout a dominant start to the season.

Button's win leaves him 14 points clear of Barrichello whose body language post-race spoke volumes as to his thoughts.

But then the likeable south American has never been slow in coming forward as he said: "I'm very experienced and...I won't follow any team orders any more. I'm making it clear now so everybody knows."

The real reason for Barrichello's demise was his third set of soft tyres after his second stop which lacked the pace of the first two.

As Brawn pointed out, if they had been up to speed then it would have been too close to call as to who would have taken the flag.

Button said: "We're all here to win. It went my way today and it may go his (Barrichello's) way in Monaco. That's the way it is."

Your Comments

untac93

"There we are Rubens, Brawn will let you win the next one. But only one mind!!"

senna27

"thedukeofshred: There is no proof that he didn't sign that contract either matey, so where are these facts you're telling me to get right? Obviously Schumacher was better, but on the odd occasion that Barrichello was quicker he was told to slow down and let Schumacher through - FACT! "

ajkfin

"f1nestkind, thanks for your comments. Good debate! Remember, ross brawn owns the team. Considering brawn gp's current situation and its future it would be catastrophic if they let two drivers compete and lose wdc at the end of season to another team that could develop the car faster. They want to ensure the title as early as possible. They take no risk in that respect. Brawn would take personal financial risk by risking the title. They have a shot on the title, possibly the only they will ever have. And they have opted to go for it with JB who have done a perfect job at it. "

thedukeofshred

"Get your facts right Senna27.

There is no proof that he "signed a contract" and was asked to slow down at every qualitying session to ensure Schumi qualify better.

No team is stupid enough to limit someone who can do better than 7 times world champion.

The thing is, most of the time he was dominated by his teammate. Ofcoz the teams favor a better driver over a driver who just happen to do better on rare occasion.

Last year Macca favored Lewis because he was a better driver.

Why people can't work out the simplest logic."

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