Michael Schumacher was gifted a controversial last lap victory at the Austrian Grand Prix from Rubens Barrichello this afternoon as Ferrari's domination of Formula One tightened. Schumacher, who had trailed teammate Barrichello throughout the entire race, was handed the win when the Brazilian pulled aside to let the four-time world champion through just before the chequered flag.

The controversial finish angered fans at the A1-Ring, who booed and whistled the Ferraris as they came into the pits at the end of an incident-packed race. The victory saw Schumacher tighten his grip on the World Drivers Championship, extending his lead at the top to 27 points from Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished Sunday's race third.

Afterwards, as whistles and jeers bombarded the pits due to the disgust felt by fans at the situation, a shame-faced Schumacher urged his Brazilian teammate, who had started on pole and been quicker all weekend, to stand in the winners position on the podium, a small consolation after giving away his second ever Formula One victory.

"I'm not very pleased about it. I don't think either of us are honestly," said Schumacher, who brushed off comparisons with last year's race when Barrichello moved over on the last turn to allow the German to finish second. "Last year I was involved in the decision because I felt the championship was a lot tighter than it was this year. Before the race this year I was asked and I said I don't believe there's going to be a team strategy involved, then suddenly they told me he would move over."

Schumacher then later defended Ferrari's strategy, which put him closer to a fifth world title.

"We have to look at what the team's ambition is and the team's ambition is to win the championship and we have to secure this because you never know what's going to happen in the next race. At the end of the day the decision comes from Ferrari. The team is investing a lot of money for one target. Imagine in the end if we lost the championship by this amount of points, how stupid would we look? We've always had this philosophy. I think it's known to everybody. Some people may like it, some people may not. I felt a little bit sorry today and I'm not really in favour of it. He's been outstanding all weekend and this gesture shows the belief and relationship we have. Because it's not natural what he has been doing, I'm grateful for the points but obviously I don't take a lot of joy from the victory."

Barrichello, who saw his existing contract with Ferrari extended by two years in the build-up to the race, said he had not been bothered by the team orders.

"It's a team decision, I've just signed a two-year contract and I think I must respect that," he said. "I'm going through a good period, a good time of my life. I'm becoming a better person and a better driver. There's no point in arguing. Michael gave me the trophy at the end and I'm happy."