I don't know how the following will be viewed by the WMSC, mitigating or incriminating:
Smedley told FM earlier that he had to bring the gap to FA up to 3 seconds, so he needed to push with the implication it seems if he wasn't able to do that he would get told that FA was the faster driver. FM wasn't able to do so and hence, the radio message was sent that started the whole schlamassel.
FM as the good Ferrari soldier would say: I was informed that FA was the faster driver. In order to avoid a Red Bull outcome, *I* thought it better to let him by to secure a double podium for the team.
How the stewards or the WMSC could 'prove' that it was team orders and not FM's insight based on the info he was given, I'd really like to see. As long as FM sticks to that line, I can't see any further sanctions handed out to Ferrari.
FM has the power to at least clear Ferrari of it. Clear them of the implications, not the stink.
The argument though is... if Alonso was indeed the faster of the two drivers and Ferraris was worried about Vettle making a charge of it, wouldn't it make sense for them to keep Alonso behind, since he'd be much better able defend against Vettle than Massa? Ferrari would then be getting a 1-3 instead of a 1-2.
They'll get off by the rules if Massa plays the good Ferrari team member. He's got them say... by the 5 million dollar bonus for being a good team member balls.