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In 2002, at the A1-Ring circuit, Michael Schumacher finished ahead of his teammate Rubens Barrichello after a controversial team order from Scuderia, a blow to the Brazilian that led the FIA to tighten its rules on team orders. Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, FanF1 looks back at this crucial episode in F1 history.
During the 2002 season, Michael Schumacher was once again the benchmark. Fresh from winning his fourth world title, the German was on course to equal Juan Manuel Fangio's record. Nicknamed the “Red Baron,” he dominated the competition, with only his brother beating him in Malaysia in the first five races. With four wins already under his belt, Schumacher was in a class of his own. Going into the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1-Ring (formerly Red Bull Ring), he had a 21-point lead, the equivalent of two wins, as a win was worth ten points that year, over his closest rival, Juan Pablo Montoya. Determined to extend his dominance on the Styrian circuit, the four-time champion expected to lead the race, but it was his teammate Rubens Barrichello who proved to be the fastest. The Brazilian took pole position, relegating Schumacher to sixth place.
Taking full advantage of his pole position, “Rubinho” got off to the best start and led the race, closely followed by his teammate. Schumacher was overtaken by his brother on lap 25, but regained the lead about 20 laps later. At the front, Barrichello seemed comfortable, cruising in the lead while the two Ferraris chased the two Toyotas, which were already out of the points. The backmarkers did not hinder the pole sitter, which prevented Schumacher from closing the gap. With eight laps to go, a radio message from team boss Jean Todt arrived, asking Barrichello to let Michael pass in order to protect his championship lead. “Let Michael pass for the sake of the championship,” the message said. Determined to win, Barrichello initially ignored the order, but in the final corner, he slowed down, allowing the Red Baron to take the victory. A year earlier, the same request had been made. In 2001, Barrichello had been ordered to let Schumacher pass for second place, a decision that had already drawn heavy criticism, and the 2002 episode remained fresh in people's minds because victory was at stake. Spectators in the stands expressed their anger by booing the Ferrari hierarchy for once again sacrificing their Brazilian driver for the benefit of Schumacher. After the race, Schumacher thanked his teammate, even inviting him to join him on the top step of the podium and handing him the trophy in protest. Ferrari was subsequently fined $1 million, not for the team order itself, but for violating podium protocol. In the post-race interview, the São Paulo native said he had no choice, having just renewed his contract with the Maranello team: “I just signed a new two-year contract with Ferrari. I'm in a good period, I'm becoming a better driver and I'm going to win more races. Michael gave me the trophy; I'm going to take it home with me tonight.”
Ten years later, during an appearance on Brazilian television channel TV Globo in 2012, Barrichello revisited the incident and softened his stance, stating that the order had nothing to do with his contract, but refusing to reveal the exact reason. “Those were eight laps from hell. I can't say what was said. It wasn't about my contract, but something more general. I felt it was a threat that changed my perspective. I just wanted to race,” he said. A few races later, Schumacher won his fifth championship, equaling Fangio's record and becoming the youngest driver to win the title in a single season. Freed from the pressure of the title, the German showed good sportsmanship by giving the victory to his teammate. At the Indianapolis race later that summer, while leading, Schumacher slowed down on the straight, allowing Barrichello to close in. The two Ferraris were running side by side, and Schumacher eased off a few meters from the finish line to let his teammate pass first. It was a striking image, and the Brazilian finally claimed the victory that had eluded him a few months earlier. “Today, Michael returned the favor,” said Barrichello, although he seemed a little skeptical.
The controversy prompted the FIA to change the rules, banning “team orders that could influence the outcome of a race.” However, teams continue to use coded radio messages to signal a driver to give up his position. At the German Grand Prix, Ferrari indirectly asked Felipe Massa to let Fernando Alonso pass by telling him, “Fernando is faster than you.” The message was clear, and the Scuderia was once again criticized, this time receiving a $100,000 fine.
