What team orders are and why teams use them
Team orders are instructions from a team to one or both of its drivers during a race or qualifying session. They can be as simple as "hold position" or as direct as "let your teammate through." Teams use them because Formula 1 is both an individual and a team sport. The constructors' championship depends on the combined points of both drivers, and sometimes the optimal strategy for the team conflicts with what each driver wants individually.
Team orders are not inherently wrong. They are a tool that teams use to manage resources, protect results, and maximize points. The controversy comes from how and when they are applied, and whether the drivers agreed to the arrangement in advance.
The most famous examples in F1 history
The most infamous team order is Ferrari's "Multi 21" at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel ignored instructions to hold position behind Mark Webber and overtook his teammate for the win. The incident damaged team trust and became shorthand for when team orders break down.
Other notable examples include Ferrari at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, where Rubens Barrichello was asked to let Michael Schumacher win on the final straight, prompting a massive crowd backlash. More recently, Mercedes has used team orders to manage the Hamilton-Russell dynamic, and Red Bull has deployed them to protect Verstappen's championship position while managing Sergio Perez's role as support driver.
Where fans get confused about fairness
The biggest confusion is whether team orders are "fair." The answer depends on perspective. From the team's point of view, maximizing constructors' points is the primary objective, and team orders are a legitimate way to achieve that. From the driver's point of view, they were hired to race, and being told to hold position can feel like a betrayal of that purpose.
Fans also confuse team orders with race strategy. A pit stop call that favors one driver over another is not a team order — it is a strategic decision based on tire data, traffic, and race conditions. A team order is a direct instruction about on-track behavior: where to position the car, whether to attack or defend, whether to yield a position.
There is also a persistent belief that team orders are banned. They are not. The FIA banned team orders that affected race results between 2002 and 2010, but the rule was removed after teams found ways to work around it anyway. Today, teams are free to manage their drivers as they see fit, provided they do not bring the sport into disrepute.
Why team orders shape championships and rivalries
Team orders matter because they can decide the outcome of a race, a season, or even a championship. A driver who is asked to yield a position loses points directly. A driver who is told to hold position behind a slower teammate may lose the chance to fight for a better result. Over a season, these decisions add up.
They also shape rivalries. Teammates who are told to support each other often develop tension, especially when one driver feels they are being treated as the number two. The best team relationships are the ones where both drivers understand the arrangement and accept it. The worst ones are the ones where team orders come as a surprise and damage trust.
In the 2026 season, with Mercedes leading both championships and Antonelli emerging as the clear number one, team orders have become a fresh topic. Whether Russell accepts a supporting role or fights back will be one of the stories of the year.