An embarrassing display

I’m speaking of course of Michael Schumacher’s very unsporting actions during the final moments of Monaco’s qualifying session. Sitting on pole, his final lap was not going to be good enough to keep pole for the race.

“Hmmm… what an odd line” I thought to myself as he turned into Rascasse. “Whoa! Brain fart! He’s blown it. What an odd mistake from a driver like him.” Mistake indeed.

From outside the car it almost looked that he just blew the corner. Certainly not something that you would expect from a seven time World Champion but a mistake right? Then to the in car camera where he can be seen to clearly straighten the wheel, followed my a token lock up, only to bring the car to a stop on the track next to the armco.

What’s the big deal? Two drivers behind him were on pace to better his pole time, thereby moving Schumacher to third. Park on the track and the following drivers are forced to observe the waved yellows, thereby blowing their laps. This after I was just starting to respect the guy even though I had mostly hated him during his career.

Austrailia 1994, Schumacer intentionally drove into Damon Hill, knocking Hill out of the race and clinching the title for himself. Jerez 1997, Schumacher attempts to run Jacques Villeneuve off the track with the title hanging in the balance. This failed and Villeneuve went on to win the World Championship while Schumacher was stripped of all his points for the year by the FIA.

At least this time around the FIA had the good sense to strip all of his times and force him to start from pit lane. Of course it took them eight hours to decide but at Monaco, that’s a harsh penalty. The press were particularly harsh on him as well, which was fun to see.

I’d love to comment on the race but I’m not smart enough to program a PVR, so I missed it. Good day.

Technorati Tags: Michael Schumacher, Monaco, Rascasse, World Champion, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, FIA