Did Schumacher Let Barrichello Win? The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix Controversy

It’s true that Schumacher, who had been leading the race, fell back slightly and allowed Barrichello to take the win. This led many to believe that Schumacher had intentionally let his teammate win as a gesture of thanks for Barrichello letting Schumacher pass on the final lap of the Austrian Grand Prix earlier that year.

This particular race, the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, is often cited as a key example of team orders in Formula 1. The incident itself was controversial. Ferrari, the team both drivers were on, was leading the constructors’ championship. While Schumacher was leading the driver’s championship, it was clear that a victory for Barrichello, who was second in the driver’s championship, would give the team a much-needed boost. In the final lap of the race, Barrichello was ahead but Schumacher overtook him for the win. After the race, Ferrari was criticized for manipulating the outcome of the race. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) investigated the incident and ruled that it was a “team order” that benefited Ferrari.

Later, the FIA banned team orders in F1 races, but this incident still sparks debate today.

It’s important to note that while many people believe Schumacher let Barrichello win as a favor, both drivers have denied this was the case. They maintain that Schumacher simply made a mistake. Regardless of the reason, this race serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics and pressures that exist within Formula 1, where team loyalty and individual ambition are constantly at odds.