Schuey: It wasn't my decision

The move was a mirror image of last year when Barrichello was told to let Schumacher by, but that was for second place and during a much closer battle for the championship.

This year, Barrichello dominated the race from the start, but let Schumacher through on the run up to the flag, allowing the German to score his first win at the Austrian circuit and open up a 24-point lead in the drivers' championship.

"It was a team decision," said an unhappy Schumacher. "Last year I was involved in the situation because it was important for the championship as it was much more tight. But I was asked this morning and I said I didn't think team strategy would be involved

"The decision comes from Ferrari," he explained. "From the top it's Mr Montezemolo, then it's Mr Todt. We've always had this philosophy. Some people like it some people don't. I'm not really in favour of it. I told Rubens on the podium I hope the championship is over soon so we can get back to racing."

Technical director Ross Brawn justified the move to give Schumacher the win by saying Ferrari dictated what pace their drivers should race at, so therefore it wasn't a true fight to the flag.

"Rubens Barrichello won the race today," said the Englishman. "But in the interests of Ferrari we made the decision for the drivers' championship. We told the drivers not to race each other. We were telling Michael not to push we were telling Rubens not to push. That's not a race."

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