Ecclestone advises against team orders

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has advised Ferrari not to repeat the contrived race finish involving Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in Austria two weeks ago.

"I would advise them not to do that," he said at the Monaco Grand Prix, while emphasising that he had not formally warned the team ahead of Sunday's race.

"Advise and nothing more than that," he said.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has summoned Ferrari and both drivers to the next meeting of its world motor sport council in Paris on June 26 to explain events at Spielberg's A1 Ring.

Barrichello led the race until the last few metres when he slowed and let world champion Schumacher win.

British newspapers had earlier quoted Ecclestone as saying that a repeat of the Ferrari team orders 'would not go down well with the fans -- nor me'.

"So many people want to see someone beat Schumacher but in Austria they were cheated out of that," he said.

"The only time I would condone it would be if the world championship hung on it. But Michael is 27 points clear," said Ecclestone.

"It was the way they did it that upset me. They could have performed it more elegantly or disguised it. But the way they carried it out insulted people. I am not surprised by the reaction.

"What happened wasn't good for Formula One but I don't see why the sport should be punished by an incident from one team.

"I am sure that had they (Ferrari) known what the reaction from the fans was going to be, they wouldn't have let it happen."

Barrichello was seventh fastest and Schumacher 11th in the free practice session ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix. Friday was a rest day.