Ralf penalised for Hockenheim crash

celticfc

Williams driver Ralf Schumacher is to be penalised 10 places on the grid for the next race in Hungary after stewards at Hockenheim say he caused the first-lap crash at the German Grand Prix.

FIA statement :

"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 One Sporting Regulations and the drivers of car numbers 2, 4 and 6 (Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen) and respective team managers, 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."

Williams are to appeal this decision.

I was very surprised to see that none of the commentators/pundits had never blamed Ralf for the crash. As soon as I saw the replay of it, I thaught it was obviously his fault.

Washout

all the experts described it as a purely racing incident....this indeed sux.

first of all ralf was not trying to push barichello off the track...just looking for the best racing line into the corner. its all part of racing i mean come on!

and secondly how was ralf to know where kiwi was.

this blows.

mike65

I'd really need to see it again but I remember it as a racing
incident caused by (if anyone) Rubens for being so bloody slow of the line but regardless of that, Ralf saw his chance as did Kimi
and they rightly went for it....can't make omletes etc...

Mike.

Woden

yeah there was no way ralf knew kimi was there he might have thought he would put the squeeze on barichello buts thats allowed, isn't ralf allowed to move once across the track?

jonno

As he admitted himself he didn;t pay attention to the positions of the other cars so obviously he wouldn't know where they were. And considering the start is probably one of the most dangerous parts of the race, that would imply that Ralf neglected to be careful. So therefore it was his fault:)

Granted Rubens was slow off the line but if you are a racing driver you should be taking all this into consideration. It was Ralf's fault, not Rubens', or Kimi's

Woden

fair enough if he admitted it but we here time and time again about how they can't see a thing through there rear view mirrors

DaithiSurfer

Sure you should take the best racing line.
But if its straight through another car i don't think its the best one.
Ralfy was completely to blame here.

irishgeo

anyonw got a video link to the crash. i missed it.

celticfc

Originally posted by irishgeo
anyonw got a video link to the crash. i missed it.

Yeah, here's some great quality video of it. It gives you all the angles as well.

http://www.btinternet.com/~aaron.edwards83/ukf1/hock03.html

Thats not just being defensive, Ralf is just drifting over crashing into the side of Rubens (not just blocking him). The more I see it the more I'm convinced it's Ralfs fault.

celticfc

It's been announced that Ralf Schumacher's appeal is to be televised on Tuesday.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3126883.stm

Woden

Interesting in that article that ron dennis described it as a racing incident also, thats what i would have classed it as.

Dr. Dre

Ronny described it as a racing incident as well ???
Wonders will never cease, he's usually the moaning sh1t, I hate that prick.

PS:I would class it as a racing incident.

Woden

only a moaning **** with ferrari it seems undoubtedly if it was michael shumacher it would have been his fault

Woden

Excellent news here much bette for the championship, a $50,000 fine instead and he retains his position

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/725/30.html

celticfc

Originally posted by Dataisgod
Excellent news here much bette for the championship, a $50,000 fine instead and he retains his position

$50,000 isn't that much to him, but I have agree that it's reasonably fair. As he says, he didnt pay much attention to what Rubens was doing.

Originally posted by Dr. Dre
Ronny described it as a racing incident as well ???
Wonders will never cease, he's usually the moaning sh1t, I hate that prick.

I despise Ron Dennis, he's a total sh!thead.

Woden

sure the money is probably nothing to him just a token gesture i suppose money issues aside we should be up for a better race now though i hope

mike65

What a copout! Still its no surprise....Either Ralf was guilty in which case drop him by 10 places or he's not guilty in which case say thankyou and goodbye!

Mike.

Seth Brundle

Originally posted by Dataisgod
fair enough if he admitted it but we here time and time again about how they can't see a thing through there rear view mirrors

JV is looking to have them removed
http://planet-f1.com/Home/story_12705.shtml
[maybe he just wants to reduce weight / drag so he can go faster ]

Woden

It seems like an interesting idea, you have do wonder from what he says do mirrors actually cause more crashes? I don't know though what if you tried to overtake somebody and he had no idea he was there he could just cut you off and claim he had no idea