After Hungary scrap, Schumacher penalized 10 places for Belgian Grand Prix

BUDAPEST - Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has been penalized ten places on the grid for the Belgian Grand Prix on August 29 after his controversial blocking move on Rubens Barrichello at Sunday’s race in Hungary.

Williams driver Barrichello tried to pass Schumacher’s Mercedes in the closing stages at the Hungaroring, but the German squeezed him against the pit wall.

According to Inquirer Sport, a furious Barrichello got through to claim 10th spot, while the race stewards later punished Schumacher who had finished in 11th.

Barrichello and Schumacher endured a tempestuous relationship during their six-year partnership at Ferrari when the Brazilian was routinely forced to play the role of support driver.

According to The Sun, Barrichello has accused Michael Schumacher of nearly ’sending him to heaven’ in a 200mph horror move in Hungary.

The Brazilian said: “I am lucky to be alive. It was a go-kart manoeuvre. If he wants to go to heaven, in the event he is going to heaven, I don’t want to go before him. Thank God, I was lucky the wall finished where it did because I was millimetres from it.”

Barrichello, 38, rapped: “It was the most dangerous move against me that I’ve ever been through. It was horrible. What we want from racing is to have battles but to be fair. I said to the stewards we are two of the most experienced guys out there, and if Michael does that, it means kids can do that too.”

Schumacher said: “There’s not much to say. I had a line of about 5cm and I was making it obvious to him to go on the other side. But he chose not to. Certain drivers have certain views, then there’s Rubens. He had fresher tyres, my job was to get the last corner spot-on. It was a hard fight and this is what we are here for, but I accept that the FIA stewards saw it as too hard.” (ANI)