Ferrari, Schumacher and Barrichello fined $1 million

Ferrari, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello have been jointly fined one million dollars by the FIA over the controversial finish to last month's Austrian Grand Prix. The fine came after Schumacher, who was handed the race after teammate Barrichello was ordered to let him pass near the end of the race, responded to jeers from the crowd by pushing his teammate to the top of the podium to accept the winner's trophy. There was no point deduction or ban. The FIA views their well orchestrated podium ceremony sacred.

 

 

I can understand both sides. MS and RB are both paid by Ferrari, therefore should do as they're told. However, I do think it was a great show of sportsmanship by MS when he handed the trophy over. RB deserved the race...

Jason-
who can't imagine earning a million, much less being fined it!

 

$1 million to the team or schumi is nothing. Thats more like a slap on the wrist.

 

Yep, it's a slap on the wrist, and that is all it should be. They didn't break any rules - they just pissed off the powers that be by making a mockery of the podium procedure. Apparently MS didn't acknowledge the Chancelor of Austria properly when receiving the 1st place trophy. I'm really glad it didn't effect the points standings.


Matt

 

As much as I hate Ferrari I'm happy with the FIA's decision. To take points away for such a small infraction would have been ludicrous. to the FIA.

 

Still hate team orders.

Still think RB should've won.

Still dont like Ferrari.

Still think MS sucks for taking victory from his teammate.

 

Lets just make it clear fellas. they did NOT get fined for team orders or swapping positions. they got fined because they did not follow "podium protocol" where michael put barrichello on the podium and took the trophy from the offical and handed it to barrichello. whether you can construe this as sort of charging tax evasion on Al Capone, get em for whatever we can charge, i just think the WSMC is just being lame for their "sacred" podium ritual.

 

I'm telling you...we need more "bad boys" in F1. Look what it did for professional wrestling, or nASScar? Maybe an F1-Xtreme!

 

entrance songs? "do you smeeeeeeeeeeeelllllleelelelelelel, what the Sato is cooking?"

 

Well, in a way you're correct. The FIA couldn't do anything about the team orders, although they wanted to, so they did the next best thing and got them for the podium procedure.

From: http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html

 

where did you get the impression that they wanted to? from the post commentary and even when they issued the inquiry, they never said they were going to investigate the team orders, and they cleared that up in that press release. they probably were under deep pressure from fans and some competing teams, but i saw no indication they cared about the finish and just wanted everyone off their backs.

ok maybe the "with some reluctance" phrase shows they wanted to, but if they really wanted they would append the rules. i think that was a political statement.


[Modified by Tyson, 12:03 PM 6/26/2002]

 

Well, I dont know, but to me, when they say that they "deplored the manner in which the team orders were given and executed," I get the impression that they wished they could punish Ferrari in some way.

 

schumacher gets $4 million for wearing that hat with all of his sponsors. i would wear it everywhere i go, even church, for $50,000.

 

Team orders. If I owned two cars and the drivers were racing eachother for first and second and screwed it up I would be pissed.

If they are allowed to run more then one car then team orders should be totaly allowed.

Granted it makes it harder for a solo driver to win.

 

Heck, just give me the hat and I'll wear it. You don't have to pay me anything.

 

They have multiple hats that they wear at different times. I had to pay $425 for 2 Yokohama hats (they were given to me at a KRC karting school) .

 

FIA Statement on Ferrari

The FIA issued the following statement following today's World Council Meeting: 'Having studied the observer’s report and heard the three parties concerned, Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the World Motor Sport Council resolved as follows.

The Race

The WMSC deplored the manner in which team orders were given and executed at the Austrian Grand Prix. Nevertheless the Council finds it impossible to sanction the two drivers, because they were both contractually bound to execute orders given by the team.

The Council also recognized the long-standing and traditional right of a team to decree the finishing order of its drivers in what it believes to be the best interest of its attempt to win both world championships.

In the circumstances, the Council decided; with some reluctance; that it could take no action over the team orders given by Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Podium

The podium procedure was not followed. Having finished second, Rubens Barrichello, who is a Brazilian national, stood on the top step while the German national anthem was played for Michael Schumacher.

Michael Schumacher then ascended the top step and both drivers, rather than just the winner, stood there while the Italian national anthem was played.

Michael Schumacher took the trophy for first place from the Austrian Chancellor, did not acknowledge him, handed the trophy to Rubens Barrichello and then took the second place trophy from the Austrian Deputy Chancellor.

It is the duty of each team to ensure that its contracted drivers observe the podium procedures and do not in any way embarrass the national authorities of the country where a grand prix takes place.

The World Motor Sport Council held that Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro were each guilty of failure to observe Article 170 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council imposed a fine of $1 million (USD) on Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello jointly, half to be paid immediately and half to be suspended for one year. The fine will become payable immediately should a similar offence occur within the next twelve months.'

 

Man, Barrichello is still getting the shaft for that race. What the hell did they fine him for? Schumacher is the one who took the trophies. He's the one who put Barrichello on the top podium. It's too funny (because it didn't happen to me) that Barrichello has to pay anything.

 

Barichello signed a contract that is clearly worded to the effect that he is the number two.
Mission 1)Win Mfg. Championship
Mission 2) If the number one driver (schumi) is in a position to win he will support and aide in any manner possible
Mission 3) Do as well as he can with out screwin up 1 or 2

 

Why is that you people hate ferrari, is it because they win to much well thats what happens when you have the best f1 driver in the world.
ferrari

 

It amazes me how FIA is fixing a public relation problem with another public relation problem.

Maybe there's more political fallout than I can imagine, but it just doesn't seem right. I don't care how much money you bring home, they're talking about a lot of money.

 

Schumacher is the highest paid sports figure in the world. He reported earns about $80,000,000.00 a year!! :eek: $1,000,000 is nothing to Ferrari besides the FIA needs Ferrari in F1 more then Ferrari needs FIA.

 

Thats...$2.54 A SECOND! ALL YEAR LONG!

 

i hope FOX doesn't see this