FIA fines Ferrari, Schumacher and Barrichello

The FIA imposed a joint $1million fine on Ferrari and its two drivers, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, today for improper conduct on the podium at last month's Austrian Grand Prix. But it didn't sanction Ferrari's manipulation of the finish or take points away from Schumacher.

Schumacher won the May 12 race after Ferrari instructed Barrichello to let the German overtake him in the final stretch. Both drivers and Ferrari officials were heard by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

In a statement, the Council said it imposed the fine because Schumacher refused to take the top spot on the podium, and then failed to acknowledge Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel as he received the winner's trophy.

However, the Council recognized Ferrari's right to give team orders, although the blatant manipulation of the finish outraged fans, and didn't take points away from the team or its drivers.

Schumacher is the runaway leader in the drivers' standings with six wins in nine events.

Ferrari officials reached at team headquarters in Maranello, Italy had no immediate response to the ruling.

The Council said it "deplored the manner in which team orders were given and executed," but found it "impossible to sanction the two drivers, because they were both contractually bound to execute orders given by the team."

It also said it couldn't penalize Ferrari because of the "long-standing and traditional right of a team to decree the finishing order of its drivers."

In handing down the dlrs 1 million fine, the FIA ruled that "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."

After his second place finish, Barrichello, who is Brazilian, stood on the top step of the podium while the German national anthem was played for Schumacher. They then stood on the top step together.

Schumacher then took the winner's trophy from Schuessel without acknowledging him and handed it to Barrichello.

The Council said half the fine was to be paid immediately, and half was to be suspended for one year. The FIA said the entirety of the dlrs 1 million fine would become immediately payable should a similar offense occur in the next year.

Schumacher leads the drivers' standings with 76 points out of a possible 90 and is well on his way to a fifth world title. His nearest rival, younger brother Ralf, trails by 46 points.

Ferrari leads in the constructors' standings with 102 points to BMW-Williams' 57.

After the Austrian GP, Ferrari justified its use of team orders on grounds that Schumacher's world title defense wasn't secure. He went into the race with 44 points. His closest rival at the time, Juan Pablo Montoya, had 23.