Ferrari defiant on Austrian GP controversy

Ferrari's Ross Brawn would have no qualms about imposing team orders again in the next race in Monaco if necessary - despite the furore caused by Michael Schumacher's Austria win.

Brawn underlined that Ferrari were backing Michael Schumacher to the hilt in his bid to win a hat-trick of world titles.

This was demonstrated as Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to let Schumacher past him on the home straight to claim victory in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

And Brawn confirmed that if the Italian team thought they needed to repeat the scenes in Monte Carlo in just under two weeks, they would without hesitation.

Brawn told Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport: "Until the championship is mathematically decided, in our favour or against us, the team decision could be repeated. That includes at Monaco within two weeks."

Brawn explained that Ferrari had decided to support Schumacher long before the race.

He added: "Rubens was aware of this.

"The decision is taken when you have a driver with 44 points and another with six. It's a sport of teamwork."