Montezemolo on Barrichello and the WC

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello will not be allowed to challenge for this year's World Championship despite his victory in last weekend's German Grand Prix.

Barrichello's win moved him to fourth in the standings, just ten points behind leader and teammate Michael Schumacher, but Ferrari's efforts to win the Championship will stay with Schumacher.

"As long as I am President of Ferrari," said Luca Montezemolo, "my two drivers will never compete against each other, but will always work for the exclusive interest of the Scuderia. We will do our utmost to help Michael Schumacher win the world title."

Montezemolo paid tribute to Barrichello's brilliant performance in mixed conditions. Barrichello's win prevented McLaren's drivers taking the championship lead from Schumacher.

He said: "It was an extraordinary feat, made up of 13 overtaking manoeuvres, that gave Rubens the opportunity to take advantage of the safety car.

"In the wet, he drove superbly and was brave enough not to come in for a tyre change."

Meanwhile, Schumacher crashed out for the second race in succession in a first corner accident, with Montezemolo insisting Schumacher was not responsible.

"I find it paradoxical and deeply unfair that someone can put the blame on Schumacher for what happened," he said. "He went out at the first curve, perhaps due to a bold zigzag start by Coulthard which created problems for both Michael and [Giancarlo] Fisichella. Those who are behind should normally be a little bit more careful because they have better visibility."

While Ferrari continue to support one driver for the title, McLaren continue to let both their drivers fight it out until one of their drivers is mathematically unable to take the title. Currently, both McLaren drivers are second in the standings on 54 points each.