There was an uneasy tension in the Ferrari garage after today’s Austrian Grand Prix as team orders again controversially influenced the race result.

Rubens Barrichello, having driven an excellent weekend of practice and then taking pole in qualifying yesterday, was ordered to cede position to team-mate Michael Schumacher just 50 metres short of the start/finish line. Last year the Brazilian was also asked to move across to let the German take second so he could achieve maximum points.

‘Rubens drove an incredible race, rounding off a fantastic weekend - He was the moral victor today,’ said Sporting Director Jean Todt.

‘Sometimes one has to take difficult decisions and today was one of those times. In the past we have lost the Drivers' Championship at the last race three times in a row and we know we are up against strong opposition. We therefore have to make the most of every situation. The extra points Michael picked up today could come in useful later in the season. The car and engine were fantastic and the Bridgestone tyres performed exceptionally well. We must work to maintain this performance level.’

Barrichello remained tactful despite the sheer disappointment.

‘I was asked to move over. It was a team decision and I have to respect it,’ he said. ‘I did as I was told even if I would have preferred not to have been asked to move over. Today's event has not affected my determination.

‘I feel I am going through a good time in my life and driving better than ever. I feel my time is coming and there is no point in complaining or arguing. As for the race, the team ran a fantastic strategy and everything, the car, engine and tyres worked very well. I was not pushing too hard and I was being careful, especially after the Safety Car period.

‘I would like to dedicate the trophy to my wife as it is her birthday and of course to my mother as it is Mother’s Day. I am looking forward to racing hard in Monaco, which is like a second home race for me.’

Michael Schumacher, who made Barrichello stand on the top step of the podium and gave him the winner’s trophy, said he felt empty.

‘I take no joy from this victory,’ said the German. ‘I enjoyed the race but not the last hundred metres. It was a team decision.

‘Only at the end I was called on the radio and told Rubens would move over. I know the decision is not popular, but imagine if we had lost the championship by this number of points at the end of the season. The team would look stupid in that situation.

‘Rubens did a superb job and he outpaced me all weekend. This is a challenging situation having him pushing me. I am sure he will win races this year. If the team had taken this decision in the last race with the title still open nobody would be saying anything about today's events.’

Schumacher now has 54 points in the drivers’ standings, 27 more than Juan-Pablo Montoya, who finished third today.