Ecclestone comments on Ferrari fine

Bernie Ecclestone thinks Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello's actions on the podium in Austria, which led to them and Ferrari being fined $1million, was 'a little bit stupid'. The FIA frowned upon Schumacher insisting Barrichello took the top step of the podium and the winner's trophy because it was not protocol. Drivers are bound to observe podium rules and not embarrass authorities of the country where the GP takes place.

The FIA also said Schumacher had ignored the Austrian Chancellor when he took the winner's trophy and handed it to Barrichello. "Their behaviour on the podium was a little bit stupid," Ecclestone said to Reuters. "I think Michael got into a panic, he'd never been booed before so reacted. He didn't think it through because he didn't have time to think it through. So I think in the end what has happened is all right."

The FIA said it 'deplored' the team orders Ferrari employed in Austria but could not punish the drivers as they were only doing as they were told and such orders are not against the rules. Ecclestone believes team orders are a part of any sport and in the end it hasn't made any difference to either the Constructors or Driver's championships.

"There's team orders in bicycle racing and whatever," he remarked. "That's how it is and I don't think we should change it. It's a team event. In this case it didn't make any difference to the constructors' championship and as you can now see it didn't make any difference to the world championship either!"