Brawn sees nothing to criticize, but Schumacher apologizes

The boss of the Mercedes GP team, Ross Brawn, spoke about the racing incident between his driver Michael Schumacher and his former teammate Rubens Barrichello during the Hungarian GP. For him, it’s clear that Schumacher did not make any deliberately dangerous moves when he tried to block Barrichello at the end of the pit wall on the main straight of the circuit.

Despite these statements, the FIA stewards penalized Schumacher with a 10-place grid penalty for the next GP at Spa, as they determined that the maneuver clearly prevented the Williams from passing.

Brawn categorically stated that Schumacher’s driving was within acceptable limits: « It’s quite difficult, Michael’s move is tough just like the decision made by the stewards…. I don’t believe for a moment that Michael tried to put Rubens in the wall, he tried to discourage him from coming inside because he thought that’s where he would be vulnerable… In the end, he left him enough space. You could say it’s marginal, but racing is tough, that’s all.»

For Ross Brawn, it all happened at the exit of the last corner of the circuit, Barichello found himself very close to Schumacher, but the latter didn’t try to deny him space: « Later in the maneuver, you can see Michael moves away, I think he couldn’t correctly estimate Rubens’ position at that moment because he was placing his car on the track to anticipate a turn at the end of the straight…. In the last corner before the straight leading to the pits, Rubens could rely on very good traction after fitting new tires… All these things happen in a fraction of a second… It may have ended dangerously, but it wasn’t Michael’s intention, I’m sure of it… Michael defended his position, trying to encourage Rubens to go around the outside. I don’t believe for a moment that he saw him there and thought I’ll squeeze him. F1 is a tough world and if you leave the door open every time someone tries to attack you, you get a reputation very quickly. There are drivers who don’t defend and those who do.»

Brawn brushed aside the idea that Schumacher’s driving was particularly rough due to their shared past: «Certainly not from Michael’s point of view!!… Michael made no comments about it. I know Rubens commented on this racing incident, but Michael didn’t at all. It’s obviously something that is foremost in Rubens’ mind.»

In his role as team director, Ross Brawn must protect his driver. The relationship that has united the two men for years has always weathered the storms. If Brawn is behind the return of the Red Baron to F1, he cannot afford to criticize him openly; a seamless unity must be displayed. Brawn knows that his responsibility is engaged given the performances of the seven-time world champion. Will Mercedes be able to keep track of this story to account at the end of the season? Will the evidence against Schumi provide Mercedes the opportunity to announce a driver change in its lineup for the next championship?

On his side, Michael Schumacher apologized to Rubens Barrichello.

Well advised, the Mercedes driver accepted the decision of the race stewards. He had stated after the race that he didn’t feel he had done anything wrong: «Yesterday, right after the race, I was still in the heat of the moment, but after reviewing the incident with Rubens, I must say the stewards were right in their assessment; the move against him was too harsh… I wanted it to be difficult for him to overtake me. I clearly showed him that I didn’t want to let him pass, but I didn’t intend to put him in danger with my maneuver. If Rubens feels that was the case, then I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention.»

Schumacher clearly understood that the general public had poorly taken this race incident. His image, already troubled by an unconvincing comeback, combined with this new controversy, was once again giving people something to talk about regarding the Red Baron. Could the pride of the fallen champion and the desperation not be the real reasons behind such an act? In a split second, couldn’t one think: “I’m not going to be overtaken by my former lieutenant driving a modest Williams with a Cosworth engine!!!”

Many voices are being raised, daring to question if this is one season too many.

If by any chance Mercedes were to come to this realization, let’s bet that the departure of this great champion will be with all the respect due to his track record.