It was a Tough Decision, Says Todt

Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt admitted that asking Rubens Barrichello to let teammate Michael Schumacher take the win at the Austrian Grand Prix was a tough decision.

For the second consecutive year at the A1-Ring circuit, World Champions Ferrari asked Brazilian Barrichello to move over to let Schumacher through on the final lap of the race, the sixth event of the season.

Four-time World Champion Schumacher insisted that Barrichello stepped on the top winner's spot on the podium, and Todt claimed the Brazilian was the moral winner of the race.

"Rubens drove an incredible race, rounding off a fantastic weekend," said Todt. "He was the moral victor today, which is why we sent his race engineer, Gabriele Delli Colli onto the podium. Sometimes one has to take difficult decisions and today was one of those times.

"In the past we have lost the Drivers' Championship at the last race three times in a row and we know we are up against strong opposition. We therefore have to make the most of every situation. The extra points Michael picked up today could come in useful later in the season."

Schumacher has now won five out of six races this year, and he leads the Championship by a massive 27 points ahead of Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.