Former Champion Michael Schumacher under fire after Hungarian Grand Prix
Former World Champion and F1 veteran Michael Schumacher has received criticism from all angles after his unorthodox and dangerous manoeuvre at the Hungarian Grand Prix. In order to secure his 10th position, the German used a defensive manoeuvre which nearly drove his former teammate Rubens Barrichello into the pit wall. With the speed of 180mph, it could have been disastrous for Barrichello if his car would have smashed into the pit wall.
However, after realizing his mistake, Schumacher admitted his mistake and accepted that he was too hard on Barrichello. Commenting on the incident after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the former World champion said, “Immediately after the race yesterday I was still in the heat of the moment but after seeing the incident with Rubens again, I have to say the stewards were right in their decision. My move against him was too hard.” He further added, “Naturally, I wanted to make it difficult for him to overtake me. I clearly showed him that I didn't want to let him pass but, looking at it rationally, I wasn't seeking to endanger him with my manoeuvre. If he feels I was then all I can say is sorry, this wasn't my intention.”
Schumacher’s statement comes as surprising to F1 followers as he was quite indifferent soon after the race. This statement’s is in stark contrast to race day, when he appeared completely impenitent just after the race. Narrating the events leading up to the incident, Schumacher said that he was moving over to the inside which should have made Barrichello clear the area. However, Barrichello opted for the same place instead of taking it wide.
Meanwhile, another Schumacher’s former teammate, Eddie Irvine has called Schumacher ‘arrogant and idiot’ for his move on Barrichello. Irvine was also with Schumacher in Ferrari. While talking to a television channel, Eddie Irvine said, “He was an idiot. It was an idiotic manoeuvre that was extremely dangerous. It was incredible. He wasn't thinking and it was just pure arrogance that he thought he could just drive another driver into the pit wall. He got punished, but I don't think he got punished enough.”
Due to unconventional manoeuvre, Schumacher has been given a ten position grid penalty for the next race in Belgium. This punishment was handed to him by the Hungaroring steward Derek Warwick. Warwick, who was monitoring the race, explained that he was a bit lenient in handing down the punishment to the F1 Hall of Famer. The steward said that he wanted to disqualify the German from the next race but due to the late arrival of video evidence, the steward panel had to give him a 10 place demotion. He also criticised Schumacher’s apparent arrogance in his interview with the stewards after the race.
On the other hand, former F1 driver and a current news columnist, David Coulthard has also jumped into the frenzy. Writing in his latest Daily Telegraph column, the Scot thinks that Schumacher was always arrogant but as in the past, he used to win and get away with such incidents quite easily. Coulthard, who now resides in Monte Carlo, wrote, “Now that he is being regularly shown up by his younger team-mate, such lapses of character will not wash. Until he made his apology, the calls for him to quit immediately were shrill. I wonder whether his mea culpa will make any difference”.
Following Coulthard and Irvine’s footsteps, triple world champion Niki Lauda has also lashed at Michael Schumacher's move against Rubens Barrichello at the Hungarian Grand Prix and termed it "completely unacceptable". He said that even though it was hard fight, it does not allow Schumacher to commit such actions. He further said, “To endanger another competitor in such a way is totally unnecessary. I cannot understand why he does those things.” On the other hand, team boss Ross Brawn said, "We don't necessarily agree with their decision but we do accept the penalty." Michael Schumacher will need to produce some positive results in the coming races, if he wants to put stop to ever-increasing criticism on him.
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