Team Orders

Team orders are instructions given by racing teams to their drivers that tell them to change how they race against their own teammates, usually to help the team's overall results rather than letting drivers compete freely.

In most racing situations, drivers compete against everyone on track equally. However, when team orders are issued, drivers must prioritize their team's strategy over their personal racing ambitions. This might mean letting a teammate pass, holding position behind them, or driving more conservatively to avoid risks.

Teams typically use these instructions when one driver has a better chance at winning a championship. For example, if one teammate is leading the points standings, the team might ask the other driver to help protect that lead. This ensures the team maximizes their chances of winning the most important prize.

Team orders can also prevent teammates from racing each other too aggressively when they're both in winning positions. Since teammates fighting on track could crash into each other and lose points for the entire team, orders help secure safer finishes.

One famous example happened in Formula 1 at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. Ferrari told Rubens Barrichello to let his teammate Michael Schumacher pass him on the final lap, even though Barrichello was winning the race. This decision caused huge controversy among fans who felt it was unfair.

The practice remains controversial because many fans believe it interferes with natural competition. They want to see drivers race freely without team interference. However, motorsport is ultimately a team sport, and teams argue they need these strategies to manage their resources and championship goals effectively.

Today, team orders are legal in most racing series, though teams must be careful about how they communicate these instructions to avoid penalties for unsporting behavior.