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Schumacher crashes again in Singapore
Singapore GP: Michael Schumacher gets 10-place penalty
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.
Button 'closed eyes' in Vettel incident
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.
Vettel reacts to Singapore success
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."
Singapore Grand Prix 2012, day three
- Sunday, 23 September: Highlights on BBC Three at 19:00 BST.
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Comment number 149.
kaMelo26th September 2012 - 0:14
Button has a short memory if he's complaining about Vettel. He did a similar but much worse manoeuvre in China two or three years ago, nearly causing a mass pile up down at the hairpin.
Vettel just seemed to be doing the normal 'sprint-brake-sprint' to warm things up, Button's manoeuvre in China was downright dangerous.
Link to this (Comment number 149)
Comment number 148.
kaMelo26th September 2012 - 0:02
Schumacher's penalty is just considering it's the second time he's ploughed into the back of someone. It's sad really. I've never been a big fan of Schumacher but however you measure it, his achievements and himself have to be respected as on of F1's greatest ever drivers. But to see him now making rookie mistakes is not how he should be remembered.
'Leave them wanting more' someone once said
Link to this (Comment number 148)
Comment number 147.
wayne25th September 2012 - 23:52
Changing the subject, ever wonder why ms has delayed making his 2nd career decision until October? Potentially gives him a good indication which teams are holding out for him, such as Ferrari and the possible replacement of Massa.
Link to this (Comment number 147)
Comment number 146.
AJ25th September 2012 - 21:46
@ 142 - He had very little control over where the car was going to go, when he locked the brakes to try and avoid the cars in front. Also you can see in the footage that the car nearly went into a spin which would have been a more serious incident if it wasn't for Schumachers car control to hit Vergne straight on; reducing the chances of repeating the scene at Spa.
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Comment number 145.
SRTdragon25th September 2012 - 20:26
I wonder if it was 100% percent driver error. A large part yes, but perhaps not all. Schumacher had brake problems throughout practice, particularly rears. Left rear looked like the first to lock up - slightly unusual.
Given that Mercedes may not wish to re-sign Schumi, it might suit them very well for it to be seen as a huge Schumi error. There has been no hint of support / investigation into it
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Comments 5 of 149