Mercedes to investigate Schumi crash
Sunday 28th August 2011
Mercedes have launched an investigation into the cause of Michael Schumacher's accident at the start of Saturday's qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The initial 20-minute run was just 90 seconds old when seven-times champion Schumacher, on the weekend when he is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Formula One debut, crashed out.
Inexplicably, the right-rear wheel detached itself from the car, sending Schumacher into a wall, the 42-year-old sliding down the hill into a gravel trap at Rivage on three wheels.
Initially, Schumacher believed himself to be at fault, only to later discover that was far from the case, despite the incident leaving the German starting his favourite race at the back of the grid.
Team principal Ross Brawn said: "I'm disappointed for Michael because the conditions would have suited him perfectly.
"We need to look at exactly what happened, but it would appear there was something amiss with the right-rear wheel attachment.
"We need to go through it carefully tonight to ensure there can be no repeat."
Schumacher now faces an uphill struggle to merely claim a point on a circuit where he has triumphed three times in the past.
Reflecting on the incident, Schumacher said: "Obviously, I would have wished for a different end to Saturday's qualifying.
"But it is difficult to drive on three wheels - even if I have had the experience of doing that in Spa (after he crashed into the back of David Coulthard in 1998).
"Seriously, this is certainly something that should not occur, but then this is also Formula One.
"Although we are working at the highest level, things can still happen.
"At first I wasn't sure what had happened as I just felt myself lose the back end suddenly which is why I instantly apologised to the team.
"But then I saw the wheel off the car and understood the reason why I had lost control.
"Trying to find the good in the bad, I'd say I still have some fresh sets of tyres left, and that there is only one direction to go tomorrow - forward."
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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