The Ferrari racing team, along with drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, were fined a total of $1-million by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Wednesday.
The Formula One team were fined following improper conduct on the podium after the Austrian Grand Prix last month.
Ferrari have been ordered to pay half the fine, $500 000, with the remainder of the sum to be paid in the event of any future discrepancy.
Ferrari caused uproar on May 12 when it ordered Barrichello, who was on the verge of winning the race, to slow down and allow four-time world champion Schumacher to win in the final straight in order to claim the full 10 points awarded for winning the race.
Although that incident was the source of much criticism from the FIA and Formula One fans, Ferrari had been called to Wednesday’s hearing mainly to answer charges that title-chasing Schumacher and Barrichello broke with race protocol while on the victory podium after the race.
After the race, as whistles and jeers bombarded the pits, a shame-faced Schumacher urged team-mate Barrichello – who had started on pole and been quicker all weekend – to stand on the winners position at the podium, a farcical situation which left the sport looking rather red-faced.
The FIA admitted however it had no power to sanction Ferrari’s race tactics.
”The FIA condemns the way in which the Ferrari team gave and carried out its orders at the Austrian Grand Prix. However we feel it is impossible to sanction the two drivers, because they are bound by their contracts to carry out the team’s orders,” according to a FIA statement released after the hearing.
”The FIA is fully aware that teams can decide which of their drivers will win the race as part of their overall quest for the world championship title.
”The FIA is unable, therefore, to sanction any of the Ferrari drivers for following team orders at the Austrian Grand Prix.”
Schumacher and Barrichello, who were present at the hearing, left the building by a side door and made no comment. – Sapa-AFP