Barrichello feels sorry for Massa

Rubens Barrichello has rallied behind Felipe Massa in the wake of the Ferrari team orders controversy - saying no driver should be forced to experience what his compatriot has gone through in the last week

With Ferrari's decision to order Massa to give up the lead in Hockenheim still a major talking point in the Formula 1 paddock, Barrichello revealed on Thursday that he has spoken to his fellow Brazilian about the situation.

And, having lived through a similar team orders situation after the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, he reckons the matter goes far beyond what is written in the regulations.

"All I can say is that I am very sorry to him, to see what he had to go through such a bad thing," said Barrichello at the Hungaroring. "Nobody should be able to go through those feelings. Felipe is a friend and I wish he didn't have to go through it."

Speaking about the team orders situation, Barrichello said: "I just think we should do something to stop this thing, because at the end of the day it could get into a bit of a drama.

"When you are racing you want to beat the other one, but I wouldn't feel nice and feel good [if a team said] if I give you this and then you win. I never did like it. That is why I changed teams and that is why I went on.

"It is in the hand on the top people to change that. You should be allowed to race. If you don't win the championship by one point, so be it.

"And if you win the championship by one point because someone gave it to you, what is the point? If I had to be a bad guy and be world champion. I don't care. I will teach my boys that, and I will be happy with that."