Governing body in sanction dilemma over Ferrari offence

The formula one season resumes in a courtroom here tomorrow and on trial are not only Ferrari but also the guardians of motor racing.

Ferrari have been summoned before the FIA's world council to answer charges arising from their conduct on the circuit and the rostrum at last month's Austrian Grand Prix. Rubens Barrichello, under instructions from the team, moved over at the final corner and gave victory to Michael Schumacher, who responded to the derision of the crowd by pushing his partner to the top of the podium and handing him the winner's trophy.

According to sources inside Formula One, Ferrari are to be punished heavily. Others suggest that FIA are regretting their knee-jerk reaction to public opinion.

The FIA president, Max Mosley, has acknowledged that Ferrari broke no rules in the race, even if they showed scant respect for the spirit of the sport. So have many of their rivals. Team orders are a traditional feature of motor racing.

One theory is that the result of the race could be awarded to reflect the standings one lap from the finish. That is like Fifa declaring the result of a World Cup match at 89 minutes to conveniently wipe out a disputed last-minute goal. The notion is preposterous. The ball crossed the line, the car crossed the line.

What happened on the rostrum was a breach of regulations and presents the governing body with an opportunity to take some action. But what action? To suspend Schumacher or even deduct points for such a trivial, irrelevant "offence'' would be equally absurd.

Ferrari argued they wanted Schumacher to win the race because he was their leading driver in the championship and the additional four points might ultimately prove crucial. Here on Sunday, with Schumacher already 43 points ahead of the rest, they allowed Barrichello to win the Grand Prix of Europe, a gesture they doubtless hope will help their cause.

The FIA may feel they have to be seen to exert their authority. A suspension with immediate effect would exclude Schumacher from the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone, on Sunday week. A three-race ban would also put him out of the races in France and Germany.

However, such a hefty sanction would leave the FIA no less guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute than Ferrari. Their own credibility is at stake here and Mosley, a lawyer, will be conscious they cannot flout natural justice for the sake of the popular vote.

Barrichello's predecessor at Ferrari, Eddie Irvine, contends any verdict at tomorrow's hearing is a waste of time, money and effort. The Ulsterman, now with Jaguar, said: "Who cares what the FIA does? Unless they ban Michael for five races there's no point. Better to get the championship over with.

"Ferrari have got the best car, the best driver, the best facilities and the best teamwork. It was always on the cards they'd dominate like this.

"The FIA took four races away from Michael in 1994 when he didn't have a car anything like as good as this Ferrari and he still won the championship. Rubens caused the problem by not moving over earlier and getting all the sympathy.''

Irvine accepted his No 2 role at Ferrari but emerged as the team's hope for the championship in 1999 after Schumacher broke his leg at the British Grand Prix. "I backed off when I could have taken Michael in the French Grand Prix and those points cost me the title, but that's the way it goes,'' Irvine said. "Rubens signed a contract and he knows the score.''

Perhaps the solution lies with drivers refusing to subject themselves to such constraints. The problem is that there will always be someone willing to take a drive on those terms, especially if it is with Ferrari.

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 M Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 76 pts; 2 R Schumacher (Ger) Williams-BMW 30; 3 J P Montoya (Col) Williams-BMW 27; 4= D Coulthard (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 26 and R Barrichello (Br) Ferrari 26; 6 K Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 11; 7 J Button (GB) Renault 10; 8 G Fisichella (It) Jordan-Honda 6; 9 N Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber 5; 10= J Trulli (It) Renault 4 and F Massa (Br) Sauber 4; 12 E Irvine (GB) Jaguar Racing 3; 13= M Webber (Aus) Minardi 2, M Salo (Fin) Toyota 2 and H-H Frentzen (Ger) Arrows 2.

MANUFACTURERS' CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 Ferrari 102pts; 2 Williams-BMW 57; 3 McLaren-Mercedes 37; 4 Renault 14; 5 Sauber 9; 6 Jordan-Honda 6; 7 Jaguar Racing 3; 8= K L Minardi 2, Toyota Racing and Orange Arrows 2.