Wednesday October 23rd, 2002

World Champion Michael Schumacher and Ferrari team boss Jean Todt were presented today with the prestigious title of Italian Commendatore by the country's president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

German Formula One champion Schumacher received the award - the equivalent of a British knighthood - alongside Todt at a formal ceremony in the Quirinal palace in Rome. And the Italian president hit back at suggestions that Ferrari had turned Grand Prix racing into "Formula Yawn" when he said: "Ferrari's wins weren't boring for us."

The Italian Scuderia won 15 of the 17 races this season and clocked up 221 points - the same as the rest of the field put together - as they eased to a double Championship victory. Ferrari heir Piero Ferrari and its president, Luca di Montezemolo, were also awarded commendation titles - of Grand Officer - for a season of unprecedented success.

Schumacher's teammate and World Championship runner-up Rubens Barrichello did not receive the Commendatore title but, along with the whole Ferrari team, he did receive an Order of Merit award.

Published at 11:26:50 GMT