Ferrari President 'Respects FIA Decision'

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said he respects the FIA's decision to impose a fine to the Italian squad following Michael Schumacher's and Rubens Barrichello's wrongdoing during the podium celebrations of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The World Champions will have to pay a fine of 500,000 dollars as a consequence of the incident, with another suspended fine of 500,000 dollars that would become payable immediately should a similar offence occur within the next year.

No points were deducted from the drivers or the team, so both Schumacher and Ferrari continue to hold a massive lead in the Championships, and di Montezemolo claimed he agreed with the FIA's decision.

"As usual Ferrari respects the FIA's decisions," di Montezemolo told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Concerning what happened on the podium, I agree that, in front of such a large TV audience, the podium should remain a disciplined and ordered event to protect the image of Formula One.

"The podium in Formula One, like in other sports, must take place in a certain way when the national anthems are played. As for the rest, I'm happy about our victories and I enjoy them."