Michael Schumacher issued 10-place grid penalty for Japanese GP

Michael Schumacher has been issued a 10-place grid penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix, following his violent incident with the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne during the Singapore Grand Prix. The German driver out-braked himself into turn 14, and slammed into the rear of the unsuspecting Toro Rosso driver.

Immediately after the incident, Schumacher apologized to the Frenchman as the two made their way disconsolately back to the paddock. This is the second incident Michael Schumacher has caused by ramming another competitor, after his collision with Bruno Senna at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year.

Michael Schumacher admitted that the incident was completely his fault, after the German driver failed to anticipate the braking performance of the car with lower tyre grip following the safety car period. The resulting incident caused a second safety car period during the race, as the marshals cleared away the stricken Mercedes and Toro Rosso vehicles.

“It was obviously a very unfortunate ending to my race this evening when I ran into the car of Vergne who accepted my apology straight afterwards.” Explained Michael Schumacher, who recorded his seventh retirement of the season. “I am not totally sure why it happened like this; I was braking but the deceleration was not as strong as it usually would be, and I could not avoid running into the car in front of me. We have to find out what has happened.”

This decision by the race stewards means Michael Schumacher will be unable to start the Japanese Grand Prix any higher than 11th in two weeks time, on a track the seven-time World Champion regards as one of his favorites of the season.

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