Barrichello 'Free to Race' Schumacher

Rubens Barrichello said on Thursday that he will be allowed to race Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher for the rest of the season following their duel in the European Grand Prix.

Schumacher has a 46-point lead in the Championship over his brother Ralf in the standings and, despite Ferrari forcing Barrichello to move over for the German in Austria earlier this season, the two will now be allowed to battle each other.

"We are free to race," said Barrichello. "It was a good race in Nurburgring, I had a fantastic first lap and I was allowed to race. I think it was a fantastic race in terms of letting us race.

"And then, of course - I think every team would do the same - with ten laps to go there was no reason why both of us should fight for position and then crash. So for the rest of the season it will be the same thing - just see what's happening close to the final stage of the race."

Schumacher could win the title in France in two weeks' time if his Championship rivals fail to score points and he is victorious both at Silverstone this weekend and at Magny-Cours.