Schu says Ferrari mechanic not seriously hurt

UPDATE Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen’s second pitstop in the European grand Prix on Sunday saw the Finn pull away from the garage a little too prematurely and the refueling rig was still attached. As a result the refueler was hit by the F2008 and run over by the right rear tire before falling to the ground in a heap.

The situation looked a little grim as Pietro Timpini continued to lay on the ground. A doctor from the Toyota Racing team rushed to his aid and he was soon being stretchered down pitlane to the circuit’s medical centre. Thankfully the outcome was not as bad as originally feared with Timpini sustaining a small fracture to the left foot and it is not particularly serious.

“I want to say a few words about Piero Timpini, our mechanic unfortunately injured in Kimi’s second pit stop: his first words were to say sorry, as though the incident was his fault: it is thanks to the passion, dedication and professionalism, that these guys show on a daily basis for Ferrari how special is our team," said Stefano Domenicali.

While it was originally thought that the fault lay with the new computerized lollipop ‘man’, it was in fact Kimi’s fault for leaving too early….

“At the second pit stop, I made a mistake and left before I should have done. Fortunately, Pietro (Timpini) is not too badly hurt. I wish him all the best and hope he gets better soon," Kimi said.

This was just one of several blunders by the team in general during this event.

08/24/08 (GMM) The mechanic hit by the rear wheel of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari during a pitstop at Valencia is not seriously hurt.

That was the information after the race of Michael Schumacher, the former seven time world champion who at the European grand prix sat on the Italian team's pitwall in his occasional advisory role.

It is believed reigning world champion Raikkonen, who later retired with an engine failure, simply tried to exit the pit-box before Ferrari's unique lights gantry shone to indicate refueling is finished.

Replays of the incident, after which the mechanic was hurriedly stretchered down the pitlane to the medical centre, showed him being struck by the Ferrari's wheel and then lying on the ground for some time.

Initial reports were of no serious injuries, but possibly a hurt foot and back pain. The mechanic was taken to hospital for further checks.

"In the circumstances, he is not too bad," Schumacher confirmed. "He is not heavily injured."