Ferrari tech boss sticks up for Schumacher

The Ferrari technical director was responding to widespread criticism of lead driver Michael Schumacher for weaving. Among the critics was Villeneuve, who said Schumacher was "lacking in ethics".

But speaking to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Brawn fired back: "Villeneuve's standards are, in my opinion, much worse and he has been guilty of disgusting tactics on occasions. Yet I have never heard Michael complain - not even in the privacy of our own motorhome. He just gets on with the job."

But he did admit the Ferrari number one, who has won two world titles, was no angel. "Michael is not perfect. He makes mistakes and sometimes he does things that are slightly wrong. But the other drivers are no angels themselves."

Brawn added: "All these guys should keep their mouths shut and prove what they can do on the track instead of all this rubbish they come up with.

"Michael is an easy target. The guy at the top is always going to be criticised."

Schumacher himself has brushed off the comments saying he does not take them seriously. In response, ex-teammate Eddie Irvine has accused him of "arrogance" and said he should resign as the driver's representative if he was not going to take their concerns seriously.