Flash.(Briefs)

Common sense prevails

The FIA cleared McLaren-Mercedes of any wrongdoing after it investigated the Formula One team's "team orders'' in Monaco ("Untouchables,'' AW, June 4). According to regulations, "Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.''

In Monaco, McLaren issued mid-race orders to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton to hold their 1-2 positions. But the FIA concluded: "It is standard procedure for a team to tell its drivers to slow down when they have a substantial lead. This is in order to minimize the risk of technical or other problems. It is also standard practice and entirely reasonable to ask the drivers not to put each other at risk.''

Face paint

The Red Bull Racing F1 team will attempt to raise $1 million at the British Grand Prix in July for Wings for Life, a charity to benefit victims of spinal cord injuries.

RBR hopes to decorate the cars of David Coulthard and Mark Webber with the facial images of 50,000 fans, each paying $20. The team's website (www.redbullf1.com) features a rotating 3D model of the car on which participants can choose where their mug shot will appear and on which car.

Heylen replaces Halliday