Williams driver Ralf Schumacher was on Wednesday hit with a $50 000 fine following his appeal against sanctions that would have compromised his chances of winning the Formula One world championship.
Schumacher, the younger brother of five-time world champion Michael, had been found guilty of causing an avoidable accident in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim two weeks ago in which McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello were forced out of the race.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced sanctions on the German, which would have seen him lose 10 places on the starting grid for this Sunday’s Grand Prix in Hungary.
Schumacher attended a hearing alongside representatives from the Motor Sports Association in Paris on Tuesday where he denied having deliberately caused the crash, claiming a temporary loss of vision.
On Wednesday the FIA’s court of appeal announced that Schumacher — who is fourth in the drivers’ standings on 53 points, only 18 behind brother Michael — was guilty but should not be sanctioned during the Hungary race itself.
”Having heard the explanations of the parties and examined the various documents and other evidence the dourt confirmed the stewards’ findings against Ralf Schumacher but considered that the sanction imposed was inappropriate and substituted a fine of $50 000,” said the statement.
The court said it would now ask stewards from the race to reinvestigate the roles of Raikkonen and Barrichello to see if either of the drivers could be apportioned some of the blame.
Williams team owner Frank Williams meanwhile was relatively satisfied with the court’s outcome.
”We are delighted the court of appeal has seen fit to remove the serious penalty of a 10-place demotion on the starting grid for the next race.
”The substitution of a financial penalty at least means we can compete in Hungary with Ralf still in a competitive position in both championships.
”The hearing proved to be a fair and transparent review of all the factors that culminated in the incident and the team can now turn its full attention to the following race in Budapest.”
Schumacher, who had claimed the crash was a normal racing incident, said: ”I am delighted with the decision. After the hearing, I didn’t expect too much, but I’m happy with the conclusion that was reached.”
The FIA added in their statement: ”It appeared to the court, in particular from reading the report by Peter Wright [technical and safety consultant] analysing accident data recorder information, not available to the stewards, that some responsibility might possibly be imputed to the other two drivers involved in the incident.
”The court decided that the case should be referred back to the panel of the stewards of the German Grand Prix so that the conduct of Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen can be considered in the light of the evidence from Mr Wright.” — Sapa-AFP