Ferrari have defended their use of team tactics in the Hungarian Grand Prix, blaming their rivals for not being quick enough.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn admitted that drivers Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher were instructed not to race to the limit in Hungary.

The Brazilian led from the start, with Schumacher finishing second, ensuring Ferrari have won the constructors' championship for the fourth year running.

The two men were nearly 30 seconds ahead of third place Ralf Schumacher in his Williams - but their true pace was underlined by Michael Schumacher towards the end of the race.

The world champion set a new lap record on lap 72, 0.5 seconds quicker than the previous mark, and more than two seconds quicker than he had been running in the previous laps.

Brawn said: "Both drivers were driving to a pace - we controlled the pace.

"It's difficult for us, because we're racers at heart.

"We went to Melbourne [at the start of the season] in 1998 and got destroyed by McLaren, but we've come back.

"If anyone is at fault for what happened today it is McLaren, Williams and Michelin.

"You drive a racing car as hard as you need to."

Williams and especially McLaren were expected to challenge Ferrari hard in Hungary but their tyre company Michelin were too conservative.

Michelin brought a tyre that was too soft and that allowed Ferrari, who use Bridgestone, to dominate the weekend and wrap up the constructors' title with ease.

Brawn paid tribute to Ferrari's achievement.

"It's very special because it reflects on the whole team," he said.

"Ferrari are racing against BMW and Mercedes - the top car companies in the world."

Schumacher said of his fastest lap: "I was cruising, really, there was no intention to overtake (Barrichello). I wasn't paying much attention.

"Then I asked Ross what the fastest lap time was here, dropped back four seconds on lap 71 and kind of tried to wake myself up."

Meanwhile, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo acclaimed the current team as the strongest in the marque's history.

"This is the highest moment in the history of our firm, there has never been such a strong Ferrari," he said.

"To win the World Constructors' Championship four times in a row is the greatest satisfaction for a car firm like us, one which rewards everybody's work.

"I am proud of my men, of all the men of Ferrari.

"This magnificent victory is first of all thanks to them: pilot, technicians, mechanics, sponsors and all the suppliers."