Formula One news

Schumi reprimanded over pre-race shunt

Michael Schumacher's awkward 2005 finale in Shanghai ended with an official stewards' reprimand. The FIA-backed troupe in China found Schumacher, Ferrari's 36-year-old deposed champion, to blame for a pre-race collision with Dutch Minardi driver Christijan Albers.

A Ferrari spokesman said no actual penalty, apart from the official reprimand, was imposed. After the Chinese grand prix, during which Michael also spun the spare car into the gravel in a Safety Car period, he had to stick around for the stewards' enquiry where video evidence showed him swerving hard to the left before the Albers jolt.

''This weird ending pretty much sums up our season,'' Schumacher lamented. ''I assume that I am at least partially at fault for the incident.''

Fellow F1 veteran and GPDA director David Coulthard reckons the incident proves that a concrete rule is required to make drivers go at a 'safe speed' at all times. ''It usually takes an incident to make things happen,'' the Scot told 'ITV'.

Schumacher headed home for Switzerland on Sunday evening and will do well to ignore the British press. The 'Times' newspaper printed a graph of his 'decline' in 2005, while the 'Sun' went with the Monday morning headline 'Schuey goes screwy'.

more news

• 11 Oct.
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go
  • Ecclestone outlines dramatic F1 engine plans
  • Hamilton: I'm stronger and in a better position
  • Alonso: BMW was never a serious option
  • Photos: Thursday at Fuji
  • Japanese Grand Prix technical preview
• 08 Oct.
  • Bridgestone to introduce green tyres in Japan
  • Senna hopes to join Toro Rosso or Honda
  • Di Resta to test McLaren at Silverstone

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