Red-faced Schumacher

Michael Schumacher said on Monday that he was sorry for a maneuver against Rubens Barrichello, for which he was penalized at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

On his website, former Formula One champion Schumacher said that he "obviously didn't want to put him [Barrichello] in danger. If he got that impression, then I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention."

After watching a recording of the maneuver against the Brazilian driver, Schumacher admitted it was "too harsh".

German outbursts

On Sunday, the race stewards penalized Schumacher as he had "illegitimately impeded" Barrichello, when he pushed him within millimeters of the wall during the race. He will be knocked back 10 places at the next race in Spa, Belgium after the summer break.

After the race on Sunday, 41-year-old Schumacher said of the incident that he "was known for not handing out gifts to fellow drivers and that a race wasn't a walk in the park." He also said that it was hard race and "that's what we're here for."

Meanwhile, fellow German driver Sebastian Vettel raised eyebrows in Hungary for not being able to hide his anger at losing out to teammate Mark Webber and turning up 20 minutes late for a Red Bull team photo after the race.

Webber won the Hungarian Grand Prix despite Vettel starting in pole position in a race that he said "should have been a walk in the park." Vettel was penalized for failing to keep the correct distance from the safety car, which was released during lap 15.

Author: Nicole Goebel (dpa/SID)
Editor: Michael Lawton