Seven-times champion plays down Singapore GP exit
Last Updated: September 26, 2011 10:51am
Schumacher: Crashed out
Michael Schumacher claimed it was "a misunderstanding" that led to his spectacular exit from the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.
The seven-times World Champion has since been reprimanded by the stewards for a crash that, in part, was brought about by Mercedes GP team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Going wheel to wheel with Sauber's Sergio Perez heading into the opening sequence of corners at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Rosberg appeared to bump the Mexican out of the way.
The stewards decided not to penalise Rosberg for the incident, although at the time Perez lost a position and momentum.
Schumacher was following the pair and tried to take advantage but having closed up on Perez on lap 30, he then hit the back of his car under braking at turn eight.
For a moment it appeared as if Schumacher would do a somersault, as Mark Webber did in last year's European Grand when he ran into the back of Lotus' Heikki Kovalainen.
Instead, his car reared up several feet in the air before falling back down on its wheels and ploughing nose first into a barrier.
Schumacher emerged unscathed, even stopping off for a chat with FIA president Jean Todt en route to the Mercedes paddock building.
Unfortunate
"It was a very unfortunate ending to my race, and obviously I am a bit disappointed," said Schumacher.
"What happened was what I would call a misunderstanding between Sergio and myself.
"He was about to go inside and lifted (off the throttle), and I was not expecting him to do that so early and therefore hit him.
"It's probably one of those race incidents which looks more impressive from the outside than from the inside as I am totally okay and my impact in the end was not too heavy.
"It was a pity because my car and tyres worked well, and therefore the pace was very good. Now I will look ahead to the next races and hope to have better endings there."
Perez, who managed to finish 10th at the end, claimed Schumacher was "too optimistic with what he tried".
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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