Schumacher’s podium threatened in Valencia?
Author, in Valencia, of his 155th career podium, the first since his return to racing in 2010 with Mercedes, Michael Schumacher could be deprived of it as an investigation has been opened by the stewards for using DRS under yellow flag conditions.
Upon finishing in third place at the European Grand Prix held in Valencia, Michael Schumacher stepped onto the podium for the first time since his return to competition in 2010, driving a Silver Arrow. However, the celebration might be overshadowed for the Mercedes team as the German driver is under investigation by the stewards for using DRS under yellow flag conditions.
In Spain, Sebastian Vettel was penalized following a similar incident, and it was Mark Webber, who finished fourth today, who alerted the stewards to the fact that the DRS of the seven-time world champion remained open under a yellow flag: “I’m sure the stewards are looking at this closely because if you look at it, it’s quite clear,” said Christian Horner, director of the Red Bull team. “Mark was very clear on the radio that Michael had used DRS, and there is clearly a yellow flag to his right when he opened it. We know from experience that it is not allowed to be used [in these conditions]. Seb [Vettel] received a penalty in Barcelona.”
For his part, Ross Brawn, director of the Mercedes team, ensures that he personally checked the data twice and indicates that Schumacher stopped using the DRS 30 meters before the yellow flag zone and therefore he is confident that there will be no penalty.
Autosport states that although the video suggests Schumacher’s DRS was open under a yellow flag, sources indicate that the German driver had actually slowed down in front of the warning flags, as required by the regulations.
Technically, the use of DRS is not formally prohibited by the regulations under a yellow flag, but a DRS that remains open in these conditions indicates that the driver has not braked. Therefore, it is normal for an investigation to take place to determine if Schumacher slowed down.
If the German were to be penalized, it would be the second time he is deprived of a significant result due to a penalty, as his fastest time during qualifying for the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix did not earn him pole position because of a penalty imposed on him following his collision with Bruno Senna at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Update – 19:32: Michael Schumacher was not penalized by the stewards, so the Mercedes AMG driver keeps his third place. After reviewing the case, no charges were retained against the German driver: « Having examined the telemetry and video footage, and after discussions with the driver and team representatives, the stewards noted that the driver significantly reduced his speed upon entering the area with a double yellow flag. »
