THE definition of the pot calling the kettle black is a motor racing fan saying WWF wrestling is fixed.

Formula One has enough problems being boring. Now it turns out that drivers throw races so their mates can win.

The antics of Ferrari in the Austrian Grand Prix - to instruct Reubens Barrichello to slow down to allow Michael Schumacher to win - went against all that sport stands for.

They argue that it is a team game and the extra points could make the difference between victory and second place for Ferrari at the end of the season.

But it is also a race and the whole point of a race is try to win. When you manipulate the finishing positions you pick away the seam of all that holds the sport together.

It would not happen in any other sport. Could you imagine Dwain Chambers deliberately slowing down on the line to enable Darren Campbell to win the Olympic 100m gold or a jockey stopping on the final straight so his mate could win the Grand National?

All those people who bet on Barrichello to win the race only to be cheated out of their winnings must be sick and thinking twice about ever gambling on the sport again.

Barrichello was the fastest by far throughout the weekend and the fact that the record books will show Schumacher as the victor is an indictment of the sport. At least it proved that overtaking does happen in Formula One.