Regazzoni Criticises 'Hypocrite' Schumacher

Former Ferrari driver Clay Regazzoni has criticised World Champion Michael Schumacher for accepting Ferrari's decision to overtake teammate Rubens Barrichello at Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

Swiss Regazzoni, who drove for the Italian squad from 1970 to 1976, claimed that World Champion Schumacher should have lifted to allow Brazilian Barrichello take the win after leading the race from start to finish following his second pole position of the season.

"A shameful end to a GP dominated by a driver whose deserved victory party was ruined through a controversial decision," Regazzoni told Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "The crowd booed, but should also react by not attending the next race.

"There's a world of hypocrisy: first there's the booing, and then at the next round everyone is ready to pay €500 for a show that isn't there, with no surprises. There are no real men: they have no character, on both sides.

"Schumacher too, someone who's won everything shouldn't need to be begging. His attitude on the podium is hypocritical. If he wanted to do a good thing he would have lifted his foot, letting his teammate take the victory."

Regazzoni also said that Enzo Ferrari, the man who created the most glamorous Formula One team, would have not agreed with the team's decision.

"The Old Man (Ferrari) would have never accepted a situation like this," he added. "Michael has this attitude, but the blame lies upon who hires him and overpays him for victories that at this point are quite predictable.

"Life is not only made of victories to satisfy a man or a manager. There are many other things that, however, they don't exist anymore."