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Hockenheim - Ferrari have been fined $100 000 by race stewards for using team orders to dictate the result in Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix won by Spain's Fernando Alonso.
Hockenheim's four race commissioners handed down the punishment after the two-time world champion claimed victory ahead of teammate Felipe Massa but only after the Brazilian, who was leading the race, appeared to slow down on lap 49, allowing him to pass.
The result stands, however, meaning Alonso remains fifth in the drivers' standings with 123 points, 22 adrift of championship leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
Ferrari denied that Massa allowed Alonso to pass coming out of turn six, even though the manoeuvre took place just one round after the Brazilian was clearly told on his team radio that Alonso was faster than him.
Team engineer Rob Smedley subsequently also apologised to Massa.
"It wasn't a team order," said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.
Massa made clear after the race that he felt he deserved to win the race but stopped short of stating that he had followed team orders and let Alonso pass him.
"I don't think I need to say anything like that," he said. "We are working for the team and doing a very good job for the team and that's the most important thing."
F1 rules ban overtaking under team orders since 2002.
