Ferrari spark major controversy with staggering F1 team order

The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, held on this day 24 years ago, remains one of F1's most controversial moments as what should have been a straightforward Ferrari one-two instead became a public relations disaster that prompted the FIA to ban team orders for over a decade.

Rubens Barrichello had qualified on pole position, roughly three-tenths clear of Ralf Schumacher, with his brother Schumacher third. 

The Brazilian led comfortably throughout, building a cushion of over four seconds after the pit stops. Yet as the laps ticked down, Ferrari issued a divisive instruction - let Michael through.

The context makes the decision all the more baffling as Schumacher had already won four of the opening five races and held a commanding 21-point lead over Juan Pablo Montoya. 

But Ferrari insisted on a pre-race agreement that the leader before the final stop would cede victory to Schumacher. Barrichello, reluctant but compliant, obeyed.

The execution was clumsy and unmistakable as on the final lap, Barrichello visibly slowed approaching the last corner, allowing Schumacher to sweep past and claim victory by 0.182 seconds. 

The crowd responded with a chorus of boos, and in an awkward podium ceremony, Schumacher refused to take the top step, insisting Barrichello stand there instead where he handed him the winner's trophy.

The FIA fined Ferrari, Schumacher and Barrichello €1 million in total, though notably not for the team order itself but for breaching podium protocol. 

As the situation continued to be condemned, on 28 October 2002, the FIA formally banned team orders that interfere with race results, a rule that remained in place until 2011.

The team order would prove wildly unnecessary as Schumacher went on to dominate 2002, finishing with double Barrichello's points to claim his fifth F1 title.