May 25, 2002	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12,1423

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MONTE CARLO, May 24: Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher could face sanctions from the international automobile federation FIA for his behaviour at the victory ceremony following the controversial Austrian Grand Prix, FIA president Max Mosley told Deutsche Presse- Agentur(dpa) in an interview.

Schumacher’s decision to allow second-placed Ferrari team- mate Rubens Barrichello to take the winner’s place on the podium will be one of the aspects of the race to be considered by the FIA world council at a hearing on June 26, Mosley said.

The German driver and Ferrari will also be asked to explain before the council the decision to order race leader Barrichello to make way at the end of the race two weeks ago, allowing Schumacher to win.

Mosley said the council will be looking at what happened on the rostrum during the post-race victory ceremony as well as the issue of team orders to the drivers.

In theory any decision could be made by the council, from clearing Schumacher and the team of any wrongdoing to imposing a lifetime ban, Mosley said.

A clearer definition in the regulations of what constitutes team orders was not possible, he said.

Formula One’s rules on the victory ceremony are more clear cut, and Schumacher’s decision to allow Barrichello to take the winner’s place and the winner’s trophy - as a gesture of gratitude to the Brazilian - will be seen as a breach of protocol.