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 | |  Monday, 13 May, 2002, 10:48 GMT 11:48 UK Ferrari tactics come under fire  Schumacher considered ignoring his team's orders  Were Ferrari wrong? Have your sayLeading figures in Formula One have called for changes in the sport's rules in the wake of Michael Schumacher's controversial victory in the Austrian Grand Prix. The world champion himself was uncomfortable with the way Rubens Barrichello was ordered by Ferrari to move aside to allow him to take the chequered flag. The Brazilian, who had led for the vast majority of the Grand Prix, acted on team instructions as he came round the final corner and braked heavily.
That allowed Schumacher to pass him in the final metres and claim the 10 points for victory. But Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw blasted the incident, particularly as it had no bearing on the constructors' championship. "You have to question whether it is okay for that to happen anytime," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "But they were one and two and getting maximum constructors points anyway so it was about the drivers' championship and I don't think drivers should be allowed to give way." Williams technical director Patrick Head was also appalled by Ferrari's team orders and said that public opinion might lead to rule changes. "I think it's very cynical and it might be described by some as fraudulent," said Head.
Both Head and Walkinshaw said that the incident had blighted the sport, which was already suffering from Ferrari's continued dominance. "I think it's done a huge amount of damage," said Walkinshaw. "We've got a serious sport which normally runs very well and incidents like this do nothing for the credibility of anyone in it." Head was more pointed in his criticism of Ferrari's tactics. "It is cynical, but we've been used to that sort of thing in other ways from Ferrari," he said. "I don't think a team that produces a car as brilliant as this one is has to do that sort of thing and I suspect they'll find they've done themselves any favours." No joy Schumacher said he took no joy from the win and considered defying Ferrari's orders.
"I was hoping that there would not be such an order," said Schumacher. "I didn't feel like it. I have to be honest to say now it was probably the wrong decision to win this race.
"If I had the chance to turn it around, I would probably do so but I cannot now."
Barrichello confirmed he followed team orders. "I've just signed a two-year deal and I thought I should show respect," the Brazilian said. Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn defended the team's decision, which was greeted with loud booing by the Austrian crowd. "In the interests of Ferrari and the drivers' championship we have made the decision," he said. | |
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