Schumacher admits to Ferrari errors in Melbourne
Thu 20 Mar, 07:21 AM
Michael Schumacher has admitted that Ferrari's drivers contributed to the Italian team's dismal opening race of the season in Melbourne last Sunday.
The former champion told Auto Motor und Sport that Felipe Massa's first corner crash, and subsequent collision with David Coulthard, were both driver errors.
Schumacher said a post-race analysis shows that Massa was in too low a gear when he spun into the barriers on lap one at Albert Park.
"At the moment we do not know why," he said, "but now without traction control, and on cold tyres, the car in that moment becomes very critical."
Schumacher also said that, while Coulthard should shoulder some of the responsibility, Massa was to blame for the crash later in the race.
"You have to say that David could have been a little cleverer about it," he said, "but there is no question that Felipe was the cause."
On reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Schumacher said the Finn was "too optimistic" as he made two notable driving errors in Melbourne.
Thu 20 Mar, 07:21 AM
Michael Schumacher has admitted that Ferrari's drivers contributed to the Italian team's dismal opening race of the season in Melbourne last Sunday.
The former champion told Auto Motor und Sport that Felipe Massa's first corner crash, and subsequent collision with David Coulthard, were both driver errors.
Schumacher said a post-race analysis shows that Massa was in too low a gear when he spun into the barriers on lap one at Albert Park.
"At the moment we do not know why," he said, "but now without traction control, and on cold tyres, the car in that moment becomes very critical."
Schumacher also said that, while Coulthard should shoulder some of the responsibility, Massa was to blame for the crash later in the race.
"You have to say that David could have been a little cleverer about it," he said, "but there is no question that Felipe was the cause."
On reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Schumacher said the Finn was "too optimistic" as he made two notable driving errors in Melbourne.