Singapore GP: Michael Schumacher gets 10-place penalty
Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Michael Schumacher has been given a 10-place grid penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix after crashing into the back of Jean-Eric Vergne in Singapore.
The stewards took into account the incident in the Spanish Grand Prix when Schumacher crashed into Bruno Senna.
The Mercedes driver initially suspected it was a car failure but later admitted it was his mistake to the stewards.
The stewards took no action on a separate incident between Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel.
Schumacher lost his Mercedes under braking following the first safety car period and hit the Toro Rosso driver, forcing both cars out of the race.
A stewards' statement said: "The driver acknowledged that the collision was his error due to failure to anticipate braking performance of the car with lower tyre grip following a safety car period."
Before speaking to the stewards, the seven-time world champion said: "I just went straight on the brakes very hard, locked up everything and tried to brake as hard as possible but the accident wasn't avoidable any more."
Button admitted to closing his eyes when leader Vettel braked suddenly under the safety car.
The McLaren driver was caught out, locking his brakes and only narrowly missing out on making contact with the leading Red Bull.
But the stewards said: "An examination of the telemetry overlay for throttle, steering and brake traces of both cars did not indicate any erratic driving behaviour on the part of the race leader.
"It is noted that article 40.13 [of the sporting regulations] provides that the first car may dictate the pace."
Speaking before the incident, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "The leader dictates the pace so I was concerned Jenson nearly drove up the back of him. It just looked like Jenson mis-judged it completely."
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said: "He [Sebastian] weaved, accelerated, and once you go, you go. You don't then hit the brakes halfway through the corner.
"They were both quite lucky and could have gifted Fernando even more points."
Button added: "Sebastian accelerated and braked for the right-hander and I just didn't expect such a speed difference, so I hit the brakes, locked up and just missed the rear of his car. That would have been quite embarrassing."
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Take Maldonado in 2011, effectively uses his car as a weapon at Spa and receives a 5 place grid drop.
Schumacher then gets a ten place grid drop for misjuding brakes after an insanely long safety car period. Is this really twice as bad?
F1 hasnt been the same since pirelli joined. All this talk about saftey & yet F1 are using tyres that are so unpredictable.
I want to see a driver drive a car, not plod around a circuit worring how much grip they have.
It's no different than telling professional football players to play a 90 minute match in bare feet or a cheap pair of trainers.
A mistake, yes. Given the circumstances, a 10 place drop is loopy.
That in its self would get most people a drive in 2013?
The same has gone for maldonado and grosjean, they have had more severe penalties because of what they have done in the season so far...
Off topic.. Gutted for Pastor today, thought he drove a brilliant race
"I used to like the guy. However, when you stay up all night to watch the opportunity for Damon to win the WDC only to have it taken away from him by a sporting cheat. The sooner he goes the better."
So you're basing your judgement on something that happened in today's race on an incident that took place EIGHTEEN YEARS ago.
There is simply no correlation.
The penalty ws more than merited. It fact given that this was not the first such incident a grid drop could be considered as lenient.
I suspect dehydration and tiredness may well have played a bigger part in this accident (Coulthard mentioned it causes a 20% drop in reaction in his commentary) than we realise.
Drivers constantly driving over the curbs and cutting corners because there is no direct, definite line.
Why don't they take the curbs away and make them race around a normal corner...most of the corners are like this. The painting of silly chicanes away from the walls is just asking for trouble.
As for Schumacher, he admitted his mistake, move on
1. Schumacher was the fastest at the Monaco qualifying grand prix. Does it tells us something about his braking abilities?
2. Schumacher is 8-6 in qualifying against Rosberg, does this tell us about his pace?
It s also funny this habit of questioning people 's age when people do mistakes.
Also not a consistent penalty when considered with the Barcelona race. Wouldn't surprise me if he repeats the performance at Monaco and put it on pole after this penalty. Anyone who doubts his ability should consider Monaco qualifying.
All these so called improvements have just not made any tangible difference. That's the big problem at Mercedes.
MSC is a great driver. He'll prove that if he's given a good car, that's also realiable too.
Maybe MSC should look at another team for next year if Mercedes don't improve the car.