Former three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda of Austria has officially clarified his viewpoint on team orders in Formula 1 following the Fernando Alonso-Felipe Massa swap for positions during the recent Grand Prix of Germany.
Lauda believes Ferrari's actions were in clear breach of the team orders ban and that the World Motor Sport Council needs to do more to uphold the credibility of the regulations.
"What they did in Hockenheim was against all rules," he said in an interview apparently posted on the official F1 website.
"Either the rules are changed or everybody observes them. What they've done is wrong and they got an immediate punishment; and they will get a pasting from the World Council, that is for sure."
Lauda's comments prompted a furious response from Ferrari his former employer.
In the wake of that public war of words, Lauda has moved to clarify his views on the matter - and denied having made his original comments.
"I've never said that stuff," Lauda was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.
"On television I only said that team orders are not good for F1 and for the spectacle, and that a team like Red Bull, by leaving Webber and Vettel free to fight, is doing the right thing. Please write that I didn't do any interview."
The Scuderia Ferrari of Maranello greeted the Austrian comments with its official website, through the 'Horse Whisperer' columnist, stating: "I am very pleased Niki has denied making these statements: it shows that fresh air is really good for you!"
Lauda believes Ferrari's actions were in clear breach of the team orders ban and that the World Motor Sport Council needs to do more to uphold the credibility of the regulations.
"What they did in Hockenheim was against all rules," he said in an interview apparently posted on the official F1 website.
"Either the rules are changed or everybody observes them. What they've done is wrong and they got an immediate punishment; and they will get a pasting from the World Council, that is for sure."
Lauda's comments prompted a furious response from Ferrari his former employer.
In the wake of that public war of words, Lauda has moved to clarify his views on the matter - and denied having made his original comments.
"I've never said that stuff," Lauda was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.
"On television I only said that team orders are not good for F1 and for the spectacle, and that a team like Red Bull, by leaving Webber and Vettel free to fight, is doing the right thing. Please write that I didn't do any interview."
The Scuderia Ferrari of Maranello greeted the Austrian comments with its official website, through the 'Horse Whisperer' columnist, stating: "I am very pleased Niki has denied making these statements: it shows that fresh air is really good for you!"