Indianapolis (USA), Sept 27: Michael Schumacher will not be slowing down at the finish line to wait for Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello this time the way he did here at last year's United States Grand Prix. The German star eased off at the end of last year's Formula One race at Indianapolis motor speedway so Barrichello could pull alongside, with the Brazilian edging ahead to take the victory.
While Schumacher had long since clinched the 2002 F1 crown before Indy, this year he is dueling Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen for the title. Every point is vital from tomorrow's penultimate season race.
A record-smashing 11-win championship 2002 season could have been larger, but Schumacher said the loss was fair because Barrichello had moved aside under team orders and allowed him to win at Austria earlier in the season.
Such point-boosting moves are banned under a new F1 rule saying team orders that interfere with a race result are prohibited.
But if Barrichello is ahead tomorrow with Schumacher right behind him, Barrichello has said he would sacrifice a victory to help the team, even without orders.
"The rule is quite clear," Barrichello said. "We will have to wait and see."
Such aid is not in Schumacher's plans.
"I do not expect any," Schumacher said.
If the situation arises in pursuit of an F1 title, rather than at a whim as was the case last year, "I think everyone would understand," F1 chief Bernie Eccelstone said. Bureau Report