Ferrari fined one million dollars

The fine has been levied at Ferrari, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello for breaking the correct procedure on the podium, not for the action on the circuit when the Brazilian slowed metres from the finish line to allow the German to win, as ordered by the team.

In essence, the FIA has given Ferrari little more than a slap on the wrist. Only half of the $1 million must be paid immediately, with the other half suspended for a year. The team will only have to pay the full amount should a similar podium offence occur within the next 12 months.

The FIA issued a release following this morning's special meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, saying that it "deplored the manner in which team orders were given and executed at the Austrian GP. Nevertheless the council finds it impossible to sanction the two drivers, because they were contractually bound to execute orders given by the team."

The council also acknowledged "the long-standing and traditional right of a team to decree the finishing order of its drivers in what it believes to be the best interest of its attempt to win both world championships".

With that in mind, the council decided to take no action against Ferrari, although admitting at the same time that it did so "with some reluctance".

Schumacher and Barrichello broke Article 170 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations when the four-times world champion allowed his team-mate on to the top step of the podium, despite having actually won the race himself.

The FIA statement said: "It is the duty of each team to ensure that its contracted drivers observe the podium procedures and do not in any way embarras the national authorities of the country where a GP takes place."

Speculation since the A1-Ring race had been that Ferrari would lose the constructors' championship points it gained for the one-two result. A race ban for the team was always considered only an outside possibility.