Originally Posted by airshifter
Though I never really cared for the blatant #1 driver spot given to Schumacher at Ferrari, comparing it to the current situation at Renault is a complete apples and oranges case.
Ferrari took those actions when team orders were entirely legal within the regulations. Once the drivers championship was carved in stone they allowed Rubens to race once again, rather than play the supporting role. Had they had the opportunity I'm sure McLaren would have done the same when their golden boy tossed away his first opportunity at the WDC.
Rules now ban team orders, and Hamilton has to fear his teammate unless he is lucky enough to have a teammate that chooses to support him. Ron Dennis had let that happen in the past as well, having the attitude that in all but a few cases fearing mutual car destruction, he allowed his drivers to race as long as it was numercially possible for either of them to win the WDC. At the point where only one was a contender, he expected the other to support the higher scoring driver while gaining constructors points.
For the record, I agree with Irvines point of view, but you can't blame Ferrari or any other team for taking full advantage of the rules in pursuit of drivers and constructors championships.