Hockenheim: Bernie Ecclestone has Formula One back precisely where he wants it: in the headlines.
And, with typical mischief, he made sure on Sunday night that it stayed there by saying that team orders should be allowed in the wake of Sunday's acrimonious German Grand Prix.
Ferrari caused an outcry when they issued a coded radio message to Felipe Massa to give way so Fernando Alonso could win.
They broke the regulation stating that "team orders which interfere with the race result are prohibited", were fined £65,000 (Dh369,521) and summoned before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for further punishment.
But Ecclestone, grand prix racing's most influential figure, argued the law needs reviewing. "I must confess I would agree with anyone who thinks that. We make people call it a team. We say it's got to be a team. Both cars have to be exactly the same. The drivers wear the same overalls. Everybody has to look like a team — a team of people who are racing.
"I believe what people do when they are inside the team and how they run their team is up to them. Of course, if a team does something that's dangerous then they're going to be in trouble. Otherwise, get on with it."
Does that mean that Ecclestone, who has traditionally taken a leadership role during World Motor Sport Council hearings, will campaign for a change to the regulations? "I don't know," he added. "We'll have to see. It's something that needs to be discussed."
Ecclestone's comments are sure to divide opinion. Some supporters of his policy will use the morally dubious argument that it is common practice, so do away with the sham. On the other side of the argument, would it not be better to let a race reach its own conclusion?
