EXCELLENT
How can anyone argue with that?
I can argue with that.
Don can publicly take responsibility for it now.
BUT, that was half a decade ago. And at the time, he and his whole operation towed the company line...drivers, crew chiefs, etc.
Don knows in his heart he would do the exact same thing time and again if it served the whole interest of DSR. The difference here is that none of John's sponsors are going to call him on the carpet for this move. Shu's admitted decision to not give team orders since then is laudible only to the extent that we "know" of no other incidents on their part in the interim. However, in the context of this situation, Don has absolutely zero business interjecting his opinion into the public forum. It's merely PR. Both groups have let the thought cross their minds and acted on them, so this is truly a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
I actually wouldn't be surprised if John has an understanding with said sponsors that encompasses this very situation, especially with Castrol. They have been very long time supporters of JFR and have quite a bit invested in helping him be a successful marketing tool. Does anybody here think for a second that during Tony's tenure at Force's, Castrol was oblivious to the team orders given then? I sincerely doubt at this late date they question John's ability to manage his race team, winning tons of races notwithstanding. And now with Ashley in the game flying Castrol's colors, John's got the ability to take it on the chin personally and give up a round win here or there to move his whole program in the right direction.
As for Tony and Cruz, they both decided to take the low road and air their concerns about JFR's "cheating" on national TV. Both have very little class in my book. And both knew without a doubt what was going to transpire after the date between John and Robert was set. Force HAD NO OPTION but to proclaim that there would be a straight up race in the semi's when asked. To have said ANYTHING but would have been grounds for NHRA to find him in violation of their "rule".
Oh well, back to your regularly scheduled program.
