Ferrari Drivers Won't Fight Each Other, Says Todt

Ferrari boss Jean Todt has warned Formula One fans to forget about the team's drivers Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher fighting each other for race wins.

The Frenchman reiterated that the team's tactics are part of Ferrari's policy after the famous Italian Scuderia decided to force their drivers to hold position at the Nurburgring.

The decision allowed Brazilian Barrichello to win and improve his position in the Drivers' Championship while leaving German Schumacher second, but still way out in front of the title race.

Todt suggested he cared little for accusations that the team is spoiling the show, because the aims of Ferrari are to win not to fight internally and risk a collision.

"Frankly, there isn't much to say," Todt said of the allegations. "We are not going to fight. We fight against ten teams, not against the Ferrari team. It's up to others to be in front of us.

"You will not see Ferrari fighting against each other and we are particularly happy to see the current situation. Team tactics is part of the Ferrari policy and team tactics was to let Rubens win.

"Considering that Michael increased his advantage by 26 [he means 22] points in the Drivers' Championship, it was important to Rubens for his battle for the Championship as well.

"The risk is not as big as it was in Austria. We feel that we can start to try to build a certain position for Rubens in the Drivers' Championship as well so it became favourable to see Rubens in front of Michael."

Todt's comments came just three days before he and his team meets the FIA in Paris to face a possible penalty over their decision to force Barrichello to hand victory to Schumacher at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The fact that the use of team orders is accepted in Formula One makes it entirely unlikely that Ferrari will be punished for their race strategies, but Todt remains baffled by the fans' reaction to the Austrian decision.

"We were not anticipating such a reaction in Austria because team tactics have always been in motor racing," he said. "We were not expecting a controversy after Austria.

"But we are defending the Ferrari team and what does matter for us is to have Ferrari in front. The drivers appreciate that there is a supreme interest which is the Scuderia Ferrari. The important thing is that no one ever works against the team's interest."