An FIA statement released today states that Ferrari’s management and drivers have been summoned to appear before the World Motor Sports Council at its next meeting in Paris on 26th June to explain incidents in yesterday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
They will apparently be asked to explain both Rubens Barrichello allowing Michael Schumacher to pass him for the win a few yards from the finish line and also Schumacher’s subsequent refusal to stand on the top step of the podium and receive the winner’s trophy, giving both honours to Barrichello.
Team orders are not illegal in Formula 1, in fact according to the FIA it is quite permissible for a team to decide in advance which of their drivers will be assisted to win as long as that decision can be justified by their chase for the Championship title, so it would appear that the podium ceremony and subsequent comments by the drivers could be more of an issue than the race result itself.
Of course it could also be that Ferrari badly underestimated the strength of public and media criticism of their tactics — including a statement in support of Barrichello from the Brazilian President — and now they will get a ceremonial slap on the wrist to keep up the appearance of a sporting event.