Michael Schumacher defended his actions in gifting Rubens Barrichello victory in the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis as Formula One was again turned into a mockery on Sunday. The World Champion said he went against team orders by allowing fellow Ferrari driver Barrichello to win to pay him back for Austria last May when the Brazilian was ordered to move over for him.
Schumacher, after finishing second by 0.011 seconds - the closest finish in championship history, revealed: "I did not feel pretty happy with what happened in Austria from my point of view but a decision was made at the time. But now I have equalised this and I can give Rubens something back. He deserved the win. I did ask the team before if I could let him win and they said no, they did not want this. But there was no plan to do this, it just happened. I tried to go over the line side-by-side but couldn't. Neither of us knew who had won at the end, we had to wait until we got to a screen to find out."
Teammate Barrichello added: "This is a special win and I will not be thinking that Michael moved over for me. It has happened a few times to me in the past like Austria when Michael was obviously not happy. This was pay-back and I am completely happy with the situation."
Filed by Shane Murray
