The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has announced that the Ferrari team, and its drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, will be jointly fined a total of US$1 Million for not following the correct procedure on the podium at last month's Austrian Grand Prix.  Half the fine is to be paid immediately, with the other half suspended for one year.

The WMSC issued a press release stating that it had studied the observer's report and heard from Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Scuderia Ferrari.  Concerning the race result, which saw Rubens Barrichello pull over at the finishing line to permit Michael Schumacher to clinch a victory, the WMSC said it deplored the manner in which the team orders were given and executed.  However the Council said it was impossible to sanction the drivers since they were contractually bound to execute the orders given by the team.  It added that teams have a traditional right to decree the finishing order of their drivers in the best interests of winning both World Championships.

Concerning the podium ceremony, however, the Council said that Rubens Barrichello, a Brazilian national, stood on the top podium step while the German national anthem was played, and was later joined on the top step by Michael Schumacher who then failed to acknowledge the Austrian Chancellor when handed the winner's trophy, but instead passed it to Barrichello.  The statement went on to say that it is the duty of each team to ensure that its drivers observe the podium procedures and do not in any way embarrass the national authorities of the country when the grand prix takes place.

The WMSC held that Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari were each guilt of failure to observe Article 170 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations.