Schumacher fined but is cleared for Silverstone
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Schumacher, the Formula One world champion, and Rubens Barrichello will take their usual places in the Ferrari line-up for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday week after the World Motor Sports Council admitted it had no legal right to ban them for manipulating the result of last month's race in Austria.
The council, meeting in Paris yesterday under the auspices of the sport's governing body, the FIA, took the opportunity to appease the baying mob by fining Ferrari and their drivers $1m (£700,000) for a breach of protocol on the podium. Half the sum is to be paid immediately, the rest only if the team re-offend within the next 12 months.
However, council members recognised that suspending Schumacher and Barrichello was not an option available to them because Ferrari were entitled to determine the finishing order of their drivers.
In a statement, the council said that it: "Deplored the manner in which team orders were given and executed at the Austrian Grand Prix''. But it acknowledged: "It was impossible to sanction the two drivers because they were both contractually bound to execute orders given by the team."
Barrichello led the 12 May race at the A1-Ring into the final yards and then slowed to allow Schumacher to win. The crowd booed the German as he mounted the rostrum and he reacted by pushing his partner to the top step. Schumacher also handed the Brazilian the winner's trophy. The FIA responded to the resulting condemnation by summoning Ferrari and their drivers before its council. Many called for draconian measures to be taken against the Italian team.
Max Mosley, the FIA president and a lawyer, accepted that Ferrari had broken no rules on the circuit, even if they had shown scant respect for the spirit of the sport. Anything more than a fine for the "offence'' committed on the podium would clearly have been excessive and unjustified. The council said: "It is the duty of each team to ensure its contracted drivers observe the podium procedures and do not in any way embarrass the national authorities of each country where the Grand Prix takes place.''
Ferrari said they issued the instructions to Barrichello because, although Schumacher was the championship leader, the additional four points might ultimately prove crucial. In last Sunday's Grand Prix of Europe at the Nürburgring, Schumacher was told to stay in second place behind Barrichello, as he would still be 46 points ahead of his closest challenger. He takes that substantial advantage into the British Grand Prix on 7 July and is in line for a record equalling fifth world title this season.
* Next year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be held two weeks later than this year, on 20 July, according to the 2003 schedule released yesterday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments