McLaren twist the knife as Ferrari sweat over orders

As Ferrari face a backlash from Formula 1 fans and sweat over the prospect of serious sanction after appearing to issuing team orders in Sunday's German Grand Prix, McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh has taken the opportunity to twist the knife into his beleaguered rivals.

While the McLaren team boss refused to openly criticise the Italian outfit, he made his feelings clear and revealed that he wants to talk to Ferrari over the events which saw Felipe Massa give way to Fernando Alsonso, letting his teammate take first place.

Ferrari's punishment so far is limited to a fine of just £65,000, although the matter has been referred to the World Motor Sport Council who have unlimited powers to impose further sanctions.

Speaking about the incident Whitmarsh pointedly said his outfit would never favour one of their British stars over the other.

"You can go back to the late 90s and all sorts of times when things have happened but we decide to race. I think having our drivers racing, in the longer term, is a healthy thing for this team," he said.

"That's my decision and that is what we want to do. Others do what they want and it's for the FIA and Ferrari to determine what they think is right. We were racing our two guys until the end."

Red Bull boss Christian Horner echoed those sentiments when he was questioned about the situation in his team. After the incident he said: "That was the clearest team order I've ever seen." And when asked what he would have done in a similar situation he replied: "Let them race."

There can be no doubting his sincerity. His two drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, collided in the Turkish Grand Prix when they were placed first and second. Vettel retired and Webber ended up finishing third behind the two McLarens - and relations between the Red Bull drivers are still strained.

Meanwhile, former team-owner Eddie Jordan showed little restraint when voicing his opinions of the incident.

"It was unlawful and was theft," said the BBC pundit. "They stole from us the chance of having a wheel-to-wheel contest between the drivers. Ferrari should be ashamed. This was a team order."

The team were found to be in breach of article 39.1 of the FIA 2010 sporting regulations that states 'team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited'. The very same rule that was only introduced after the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix when Ferrard told Rubens Barrichello to allow Michael Schumacher to overtake him so the German could claim victory.

Jordan says the current rules are unworkable and that the law should be changed. ·