Schumacher shrugs off Russian attack
Michael Schumacher, who was forced to retire from the Korean Grand Prix after Russian Vitaly Petrov drove into him, shrugged off the "unfortunate" incident after Sunday's race.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: October 16, 2011 05:01 PM IST
Michael Schumacher, who was forced to retire from the Korean Grand Prix after Russian Vitaly Petrov drove into him, shrugged off the "unfortunate" incident after Sunday's race.
The German said he had no idea that Petrov's Renault was about to hit his Mercedes as he prepared to go into turn three on lap 16.
"I didn't see Vitaly coming. I was just suddenly spun into a direction I had not intended to go - and then I saw my rear wing hanging off," he said.
"It was unfortunate but these things happen when you fight hard - that's racing.
"For me, it is another unfortunate end to a race which could have been encouraging today.
"It's a big pity as the car was again very good in race trim and I had already gained some positions."
Petrov was in a slipstream battle with Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari down the long straight into the turn when he arrived too fast at the corner.
Alonso took avoiding action, but Petrov drove into the back of Schumacher, taking both men out of the race with damaged cars.
Petrov was given a five-place grid penalty to be served at the Indian Grand Prix later this month. He admitted he was at fault and apologised.
"I was concentrating on my battle with Alonso and it was too late for me to do anything," he said.