Mercedes fined after Michael Schumacher’s pit stop problem

With Nico Rosberg winning his maiden Grand Prix for Mercedes at the Chinese Grand Prix, the exultation seen by the team has been marred as they have been issued a €5,000 fine for the unsafe release of Michael Schumacher during the race. The 7-time World Champion subsequently retired after leaving the pits.

On lap 16 of the Chinese Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher was seen peeling off the track only moments after taking his first scheduled pit-stop of the race. The reason for his early retirement was down to a mistake during his pit-stop, as his mechanics failed to secure his front right tyre.

This therefore was deemed as an unsafe release, with the stewards stating that the team breached Article 23.12 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations. The team have therefore been hit with a hefty fine, with the race stewards stating, “The prompt action of the driver, in stopping the car as soon as the problem was noticed, is taken into account in the penalty determination.”

Michael Schumacher, who qualified 2nd for the race, will be hoping for better luck in Bahrain as the team head to the Sakhir International Circuit on the back of a superlative victory from Nico Rosberg.

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