DRS slip could cost Schumacher Valencia podium
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| Schumacher keeps podium in Valencia |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false'. Michael Schumacher's 99-race wait for a podium finish ended in Valencia when he finished in third despite threats of a penalty. Starting 12th on the grid, the seven-time World Champion said that he didn't even realize he was in a podium position until he asked his pit wall after crossing the line.
"I didn't think about a podium at all," said the 43-year-old, who now holds the record for the oldest podium finisher since Jack Brabham in 1970. I asked my guys at the end of the race where I finished and when they told me third, I couldn't believe it. You lose count of where you are, it was busy at the end of the race."
"It is those moments that definitely you enjoy deeply and it's just a wonderful feeling to be back after such a long time. We were a couple of times close to it, and finally it happened in a very spectacular way and on a track where it is difficult to pass – but due to various strategies and differences on track it was pretty exciting and that is best way if you manage the way I did today to jump on the podium.
"To do it in an exciting way makes me extra happy. But that is what I am here for, to be excited, hearing finally the message P3 is a sweet finish to an unexpected race. Converting from a one-stop to a two-stop strategy meant we had good tires at the end."
However, Schumacher was investigated by the stewards in the wake of the grand prix. Team boss Ross Brawn was confident he would not face a penalty, telling the BBC that he had ' personally double-checked the data and Schumacher stopped using is 30m before the yellow flag zone so he's confident there won't be a penalty.'
And after examining the evidence the stewards ruled that Schumacher had slowed sufficiently and he retained his third.
06/24/12 (GMM) Red Bull has put the brakes on Michael Schumacher's celebrations, after the seven time world champion on Sunday tasted podium champagne for the first time since 2006.
Mark Webber, who finished behind the Mercedes at Valencia, had radioed the pits – and therefore the listening FIA – to complain that Schumacher had deployed his overtaking rear wing 'DRS' system through a yellow flag zone.
"I hate to dampen the euphoria about Michael Schumacher but it is clear to see on the television images," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said on German television Sky.
Team boss Christian Horner added on RTL: "The stewards have all the information and will take care of it."
A post-race penalty would surely cost Schumacher the podium.
But according to the BBC, Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn checked the data personally and found that Schumacher disengaged the DRS flap thirty meters before the yellow flag zone.