The Ferrari team were found to be in breach of both Article 39.1 and 151c of the sporting regulations after stewards investigated Fernando Alonso's pass of Felipe Massa during the German Grand Prix. The team has been fined $100,000, while the incident has been referred to the FIA World Council for further consideration.

Both drivers, along with team representatives Stefano Domenicali and Massimo Rivola were asked to visit the stewards office after the race. The decision means the original results of the race stand and Ferrari have their first 1-2 finish of the season.

The sporting regulations prohibit team orders, as well as bringing the sport into disrepute.

Article 39.1: Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.

Article 151c: Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally.

Ferrari remain adamant that they did not issue any team orders during the Grand Prix, and were simply keeping Massa informed of the situation.

Updated: The Ferrari team have decided not to to appeal the stewards decision and will pay the full fine.

As for the Stewards' decision, given after the race, in the interests of the sport, we have decided not to go through a procedure of appealing against it, confident that the World Council will know how to evaluate the overall facts correctly.

- Stefano Domenicali

An unfortunate but presumably deliberate choice of words.

Updated: An Extraordinary Meeting of the World Motor Sport Council will take place on Friday, September 10 in Como, Italy.