Former world champ riles McLaren
Last Updated: September 12, 2011 7:32am
Michael Schumacher: Under fire from McLaren
Michael Schumacher came under fire from McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh following Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Whitmarsh described the seven-time world champion's tactics as "pretty harsh" on Lewis Hamilton after watching his driver struggle to pass the 42-year-old German.
Finally, on lap 27, Hamilton finally conjured a move on Schumacher, but only after Mercedes were given a warning from race control as to the German's driving following complaints from Hamilton to his team over the in-car radio.
Hamilton, punished with a retrospective drive-through penalty in Malaysia for making more than one change of direction to defend his position, felt Schumacher was doing likewise to him.
Assessing Schumacher's tactics, with Hamilton failing in his bid for a top-three place by half a second to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Whitmarsh said: "I felt it was pretty harsh.
"I'm not the least impartial person, but the fact is he was warned twice, and the one where he had Lewis on the grass was as scary as hell.
"Lewis complained a few times, but in a very calm way. His job is to do that in case the stewards don't see anything. think it was heartfelt anyway, also sincere and reasonable."
Vintage Michael
In start contrast to the views of Whitmarsh, his Mercedes counterpart Ross Brawn described Schumacher's 'roadblock' tactics as "vintage Michael".
Naturally, Brawn could see nothing wrong, although acknowledged the warning from FIA race director Charlie Whiting who opted not to refer the matter to the stewards.
"Michael drove a fantastic race. We know we haven't got the fastest car, but we have seen everything we know about Michael Schumacher," said Brawn.
"The FIA were watching us and asked us to be careful, and we were. It is a balance between racing and not overstepping the mark. Overall, I feel it was great racing, and great for F1."
Mindful of the fact he has been outspoken in the past, Hamilton refused to be drawn on the matter post race.
"It was interesting being behind him. It was a real challenge to get past. He was incredibly fast, and I was just a little bit slower on the straights, which is why I could not pass.
"He was as fast, if not faster than me down the straight, even when I had my DRS (drag reduction system) engaged, so it was difficult for me to overtake.
"This is not a great result to be honest. We started second and I dropped back two places, so I'm definitely not happy."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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