Ralf penalised 10 grid spots for Hungarian GP
Discussion
autosport said:
Ralf Schumacher has been held responsible for the accident on the opening lap of the German Grand Prix that eliminated himself, the Ferrari or Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren, and has been penalised 10 places on the grid for the next race, the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The penalty effectively kills any slim championship hopes he might still have harboured after the German non-finish.
A bulletin from the race stewards stated: "The stewards received a report from the Race Director which stated that Ralf Schumacher caused an avoidable collision, contrary to Article 53 of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations and the drivers of car numbers 2, 4 and 6 [Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen] and respective team manages, were summoned.
"Having heard the explanation of each driver and having seen the different camera views of the incident, the Stewards conclude that Ralf Schumacher began to move left to obtain a better racing line for the first corner. Ralf Schumacher admitted paying no attention to the position of the other cars during this manoeuvre.
"The stewards note that it is absolutely clear that Ralf Schumacher car made contact with Barrichello's car, which in turn made contact with Raikkonen. Both drivers were caught in a set of circumstances over which they had no control."
Team principal Frank Williams has confirmed that the team will appeal the decision. With the Hungaroring one of the most difficult circuits on which to overtake, Schumacher's penalty could barely come at a worse venue.
McNab said:
Although I think the penalty was unfair, I'm sick of races being ruined by first-corner multiple shunts!
Surely a rolling start would reduce the problem - or at least reduce the number of cars involved. What do you all think?
They work on big circuits and Indy oval where there is lots of space (wide space), but every street circuit CART race I see only the first 2-3 rows line up properly the rest are all over the place and out of order. Althought CART are used to this situation I think some of the more vocal F1 managers might not like their cars being passed or dropped out of order so soon when the green flag waves.
Nice idea though if they could get the discipline on the starts.
Perhaps they could do an old Le Mans style start and run across to their cars, now that would be fun to watch
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift (moderator) on Tuesday 19th August 23:11
Just to keep everyone up to date.
Williams driver Ralf Schumacher will not be penalised 10 places on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix for his part in causing a pile-up in the German Grand Prix – but will face a fine of £31,000 instead.
The FIA International Court of Appeal confirmed the decision of the race stewards that the German was responsible for the three-car first corner shunt at Hockenheim, but determined that the original sanction imposed by the race stewards was inappropriate.
The Court heard evidence not available to the stewards from FIA technical and safety consultant Peter Wright, whose analysis of Accident Data Recorders suggested that some responsibility for the crash might fall upon Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen, who were both involved in the incident.
The Court has referred the case back to the German GP stewards so that the conduct of Barrichello and Raikkonen can be considered in the light of the evidence submitted by Wright.
Williams driver Ralf Schumacher will not be penalised 10 places on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix for his part in causing a pile-up in the German Grand Prix – but will face a fine of £31,000 instead.
The FIA International Court of Appeal confirmed the decision of the race stewards that the German was responsible for the three-car first corner shunt at Hockenheim, but determined that the original sanction imposed by the race stewards was inappropriate.
The Court heard evidence not available to the stewards from FIA technical and safety consultant Peter Wright, whose analysis of Accident Data Recorders suggested that some responsibility for the crash might fall upon Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen, who were both involved in the incident.
The Court has referred the case back to the German GP stewards so that the conduct of Barrichello and Raikkonen can be considered in the light of the evidence submitted by Wright.
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