Brawn: Ferrari Drivers Free to Race

Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn said that Michael Schumacher and teammate Rubens Barrichello will be free to race each other at the United States Grand Prix "as long as nothing silly happens."

Schumacher, who will start from pole position ahead of his teammate, said on Saturday that he and Barrichello, limited by 'team orders' all season, would be free to race each other now that the titles were decided and the Brazilian is sure to finish as runner-up.

Brawn confirmed that would be the case.

"We don't want to do anything where the drivers are going to fall out," Brawn said. "So it's just important that we don't have any situations develop where something silly happens between the drivers. If we can avoid that, yes, they're free to do what they like."

Some 150,000 fans, the majority wearing Ferrari red caps and shirts, are expected in the biggest one-day turnout of a season marked by dwindling crowds and television viewing figures as the Italian team's domination continues.