PARIS (AP) _ The McLaren Formula One team is being investigated
for a possible rule breach at the Monaco Grand Prix.
World motorsport's governing body, FIA, said in a statement
Monday that it was reviewing evidence from Sunday's race after
Fernando Alonso finished first ahead of McLaren teammate Lewis
Hamilton.
Without elaborating, FIA said Monday that McLaren was being
investigated for ``a possible breach of the International Sporting
Code.''
The code prohibits attempts ``to prevent or impede a competition
or the participation of a competitor, save where the FIA concludes
that this is necessary for the safe, fair or orderly conduct of
motor sport.''
Alonso finished 4.095 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who said after
the race he ``was told to take it easy.''
British newspapers reported Monday that Hamilton had twice been
called in by McLaren to refuel earlier than scheduled.
``He was obviously close to me, and I was told to take it easy,''
Hamilton said Sunday. ``At the end of the day, I am a rookie. I am
in my first season in Formula One and I have finished second in only
my first Monaco Grand Prix so I really can't complain. I've got No.
2 on my car. I am the No. 2 driver.''
It was Hamilton's fifth straight top-three finish in his debut F1
season to share top spot with Alonso in the drivers' standings with
38 points.
FIA banned so-called team orders after Rubens Barrichello was
told by Ferrari to allow teammate Michael Schumacher to pass him to
win the 2002 Austrian GP. Ferrari was fined US$1 million.
Barrichello moved aside on the final bend to allow Schumacher to
strengthen his lead in the drivers' championship. Schumacher won the
championship that year, with Barrichello second.
