Todt: Nothing Wrong with Indy Finish

Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt claimed that the controversial result of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis is not the same as the Austrian debacle - and said he feels it is actually a good thing for the sport.

Todt claimed that the Austrian race, in which Rubens Barrichello was asked to allow Michael Schumacher to win, was misunderstood but insisted the team did nothing wrong in the US.

"In Austria some people could have had a tougher understanding like thinking it's arrogant, it's typical - but here, honestly, it's among us," Todt said. "We were not penalising anybody. In Austria you could say we were penalising Montoya, who could have had four points, or something different. But here, I think it's a nice thing."

Todt reiterated that team orders were not implemented to force Schumacher to return the favour from Austria to Barrichello and insisted all he cares about is both Ferrari cars coming home at the head of the field.

"It was not team orders, there was no need for team orders," he said. "Seriously, the only thing that was said was that after the second pit stop they should not fight any more and there was no more fighting after the second.

"Michael could have won, but he wanted to have Rubens very close to him which we were very happy about, because you know we love Michael and we love Rubens, but we all work for Ferrari and that's the only thing that really does matter for us.

"I think it would be very presumptuous and not humble at all to say that we are controlling everything. We try to do our best, but we don't want drivers to fight against each other if it is not in the interests of the company.

"It was not planned. It just happened like that. I was told it was seven centimeters. For us it isn't something that matters. What does matter is to have two Ferraris first and second. That's our position."

Todt said that the outcome was not what Schumacher was looking for and said it was not done on purpose - because he was actually trying for a dead heat finish.

"It is not something that he was really looking for," Todt said of Schumacher. "It was not so intentional. He did not do anything to avoid it, but he didn't really do it on purpose. He wanted to aim as close as possible."