Michael Schumacher was handed ten points for winning the Austrian Grand Prix after Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to let the German past - which he did just yards from the chequered flag to the disappointment of the watching spectators.

The Brazilian had driven a superb race that none of his rivals was able to find an answer to until his Italian team intervened, and Schumacher felt the full force of the crowd's displeasure as he exited his car in Parc Ferme.

Neither driver was able to muster their usual enthusiasm for the podium ceremony and Schumacher urged Barrichello onto the top step, he also refused to accept the winner's trophy insisting it went to the Brazilian instead.

For Barrichello the disappointment comes just days after he re-signed with the outfit for another two years. It would have been his second career win in Formula One™ motor racing.

"I was asked to move over. It was a team decision and I have to respect it. I did as I was told even if I would have preferred not to have been asked to move over. Today's event has not affected my determination. I feeI am going through a good time in my life and driving better than ever," he said in a team press release.

"I feel my time is coming and there is no point in complaining or arguing. As for the race, the team ran a fantastic strategy and everything, the car, engine and tyres worked very well. I was not pushing too hard and I was being careful, especially after the Safety Car period.

"I would like to dedicate the trophy to my wife as it is her birthday and of course to my mother as it is Mothers Day. I am looking forward to racing hard in Monaco, which is like a second home race for me."

Schumacher also recounted what a hollow victory it was for him. ""I take no joy from this victory. I enjoyed the race but not the last hundred metres. It was a team decision. Only at the end I was called on the radio and told Rubens would move over," he said in the same statement.

"I know the decision is not popular, but imagine if we had lost the championship by this number of points at the end of the season. The team would look stupid in that situation. Rubens did a superb job and he outpaced me all weekend. This is a challenging situation having him pushing me. I am sure he will win races this year.

"If the team had taken this decision in the last race with the title still open nobody would be saying anything about today's events."

Sporting director Jean Todt added: "It was an action-packed race and thankfully both Heidfeld and Sato escaped serious injury in their accident. We witnessed Ferrari dominate from start to finish. Rubens drove an incredible race, rounding off a fantastic weekend. He was the moral victor today, which is why we sent his race engineer, Gabriele Delli Colli onto the podium.

"Sometimes one has to take difficult decisions and today was one of those times. In the past we have lost the Drivers' Championship at the last race three times in a row and we know we are up against strong opposition. We therefore have to make the most of every situation.

"The extra points Michael picked up today could come in useful later in the season. The car and engine were fantastic and the Bridgestone tyres performed exceptionally well. We must work to maintain this performance level."