Schumacher snatches controversial win

Michael Schumacher took one of the most controversial wins of his Formula One career in Austria on Sunday as his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello ceded the lead to him seconds from the finish.

It was the second Ferrari one-two of the season, Schumacher's fourth victory in a row, the 58th of his career and Ferrari's 149th.

But it was an undeserved triumph, a cynical win that came at the same circuit where team orders last year also forced Barrichello to yield to him -- in that case for second place.

There was uproar and consternation when Barrichello, who had led from pole, slowed just metres from the chequered flag as Schumacher sped past for his first ever win in Austria.

The victory completed the German's set of grand prix trophies, having now won at every circuit on the calendar and the four-times world champion now has a lead of 27 points in the championship race over Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who was third.

The furore was barely abated by Schumacher allowing Barrichello, who seemed to be fighting off the tears, to stand on top of the podium alongside him at the end of an action-packed and potentially tragic race.

"It was a team decision, I've just signed a two-year contract with them and I think I should have respect," said Barrichello, who had looked set for his second grand prix win.

"There's no point in arguing, my determination will take me to a lot more wins.

"Michael gave me the trophy (which) I take home today so I'm happy for that."

Until the final few seconds, Barrichello had done everything right. He had been fastest in practice, qualified on pole and led for 70 of the 71 laps.

Schumacher had never challenged him during the race or attempted to overtake and the German said he too was unhappy at how the race had ended.

"I'm not very pleased about it, I don't think any of us are really ... I'm thankful for the points but obviously I don't take a lot of joy from the victory," Schumacher said.

Montoya took advantage of the two appearances of the safety car to get in front of his Williams team mate Ralf Schumacher, who started in second place on the grid but finished fourth.

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella picked up Jordan's first points of the season in fifth place and McLaren's David Coulthard was sixth.

SATO CRASH

Barrichello led from pole and was followed by Schumacher, and it soon became apparent that once again Ferrari were in a different race to the rest.

The Brazilian lapped Malaysian Alex Yoong after just 15 laps, by which time he was also 25 seconds clear of third placed Ralf.

Jordan's Japanese rookie Takuma Sato had a miraculous escape on lap 28, moments after the safety car had come in following an incident that left Frenchman Olivier Panis's BAR stranded on the pit straight.

The Japanese was among the backmarkers, being lapped on the inside by Montoya, when his car was hit broadside by Nick Heidfeld's out of control Sauber.

The German had skidded while approaching the Remus curve, careering backwards across the grass runoff and slamming into the side of Sato's Jordan, shattering the front right of the Jordan in a cloud of debris.

Heidfeld watched in shock but unhurt as Sato stayed in the car for an agonisingly long time before being extricated, put on a drip and taken on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

Officials said later that Sato was concussed but had no other injuries. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Graz for tests.

"(Chief medical officer) Sid Watkins told Eddie Jordan that Sato has had a miraculous escape," said Jordan official Mark Gallagher.