Top technical director Patrick Head has slammed Ferrari's approach to racing last year as a "disservice" to Formula One.

The Williams chief believes their rivals acted purely in self-interest in forcing Rubens Barrichello to play a subservient role to Michael Schumacher instead of letting them race.

Ferrari sparked worldwide condemnation when they ordered Barrichello to move over and gift Schumacher a victory in Austria.

Williams will allow their drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher to race next season even though, as has happened in the past, it could cost them the drivers' championship.

"Ferrari did Formula One a great disservice last year," said Head. "They did themselves what they thought was in their sole best interests but did not look too much to the interests of F1.

"We have two very strong drivers, we have basic background rules, what they have got to do in certain circumstances, and it is not the same position that Ferrari have with Michael and Rubens Barrichello.

"We have won championships in the past. Take 1986 we won the constructors' championship by a long way but lost the drivers' championship with us having two lead drivers. But equally we managed to finish first and second in 1987."