F1 Austrian GP: 5 races to remember including the 'Day of SHAME' in the sport

#3 Austrian Grand Prix 2002

Austrian GP 2002 - Barrichello and Schumacher get emotional on the podium

12th May 2002, this is the day can be termed as "day of Shame in Formula 1". Michael Schumacher, the red baron received a lot of criticism from Formula 1world leading to a ban on team orders at Ferrari. BBC reported this with a slapping headline “Michael Schumacher steals Austrian win”. FIA fined Ferrari for podium change which occurred because of a lot of boo’s and abuses from the audience which compelled Michael Schumacher to step Rubens Barrichello on the top stand of the podium.

Rubens was clocking faster laps all over the weekends at A1 ring Austria and took pole position. Ferrari’s red baron had a comfortable lead in championship battle against Montoya and Barrichello comfortably lead most of the race from Schumacher but Ferrari decided to promote Schumacher into the first position and to the entire world’s horror, Rubens gave way to Schumacher to win a gifted victory at Austria.

Rubens making way for Michael Schumacher

Following the race, Michael thanked Rubens but kept the points and expressed his displeasure over not winning because of merit. During podium, Ferrari drivers were booed leading to a sheepish Schumacher stepping down from the podium and promoting Rubens Barrichello as German national anthem continued to play. Following podium ceremony, the media targeted Ferrari and FIA was forced to intervene.