JUNE 26, 2002

Ferrari and Schumacher fined $0.5 million

Newsflash: A verdict was reached at the FIA World Council meeting against Ferrari, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello for their actions in the Austrian Grand Prix in which they have been jointly fined $1m. The team has been ordered to pay $500,000 immediately, with the other half suspended for one year. Which means that if there is any repeat in the next year they will be liable to pay the remainder of the fine.

The Council ruled that it could not punish the team or drivers for their actions on the circuit, as they recognize that Ferrari is trying to win two world championships, and the drivers must, contractually, follow team orders, but fined them for what happened on the podium after the race. Michael Schumacher handed the first place trophy to Barrichello, and put him on the top step of the podium, a clear breach of the regulations.

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