Let the Ferraris race, says Dennis

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has said that Ferrari should let Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello race out the Austrian Grand Prix thia afternoon rather than impose team orders.

May 12, 2002, 9:49 AM

Dennis has questioned Ferrari's strategy before, saying that it is not "pure". Reluctant to be drawn into a slagging match again, he did however offer: "If I was in their position I would let them race because Michael is in an unassailable position in the championship and it would be good for the sport."

Barrichello was forced to move over for Schumacher at the A1-Ring last year and asked how he would feel about being asked to do so again, replied: "I don't like to read too much into the future. We wait until Sunday and then we see what's going to happen. If we get worried about too many things we are burning energy and it's not worth it, so let's wait and see."

Barrichello will start today's race from pole position after out-pacing his team-mate in qualifying. Schumacher had braking problems yesterday, the callipers not releasing quickly enough.

The race will start at 1300 (BST).