Report: Schumacher to Lose Win

HALLE, Germany AP reported that Formula One officials are set to strip Michael Schumacher of his Austrian Grand Prix victory, the magazine Auto, Motor and Sport reported Wednesday.

The German trade publication quoted sources from FIA, the sport's governing body, saying Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, would be awarded the grand prix title.

Ferrari sports director Jean Todt ordered Barrichello to slow down on the final straight of the May 12 race, allowing Schumacher to win the race and help his bid for a fifth world title.

The magazine said the 23-member FIA world council favors basing the race result on the penultimate lap when a hearing is held June 26 in Paris. Barrichello was ahead of Schumacher at that point.

Schumacher's spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm, said the driver and his team had no comment on the report.

"We can't comment on every rumor that comes along," Kehm said.

Richard Woods, a spokesman for Geneva-based FIA, said Wednesday it would be "entirely inappropriate to comment in advance of the World Motorsport Council decision."

"The case will be presented by Ferarri on the day," Woods said. "The World Motorsport Council will assess the case that's presented to them and then make a decision. On the 26th of June, a decision will be communicated both to Ferrari and the wider public."

If Schumacher is stripped of the title, he would get six points for finishing second instead of the 10 points awarded to the winner.

The difference would not be enough to threaten Schumacher's 43-point lead over William BMW drivers' Juan Montoya and younger brother Ralf Schumacher.

At the Canada Grand Prix last week, there were still isolated boos from the spectators directed at the Ferrari team.

"We won't do something like that ever again," Michael Schumacher said.

Ferrari has left open the possibility of more "team orders" for their drivers in the future, although Todt admitted he would also have to factor in the damage to the team's image after Austria.

Several other teams, including Williams and Honda Jordan, have admitted they have also instructed their drivers during the race to not attack teammates or let them pass in the team's interest.