Schumi, punished, leaves without a point

Michael Schumacher, as in his great years, chose to seize the slightest opportunity offered to him to progress in the hierarchy. In Monaco, while the safety car entered the pit line to leave the drivers alone on the track for the last seconds of the race, the driver Mercedes Doubled Fernando Alonso in the last corner of the Grand Prix (see video). Stroke of genius or illegal maneuver? The FIA ​​has ruled: the seven-time World Champion made a mistake. He was penalized with a drive through, converted into a twenty-second penalty which sent him to twelfth place in the Monegasque race.

If Mercedes appealed the FIA's decision, it is a hard blow for Michael Schumacher, who leaves the Principality without a point. “ We received a message from the FIA, which indicated that the track was clear. So, the competition resumes and we can double up. If we are not allowed to overtake, we must receive another message. So I took my chance », commented Schumi after the race. Unfortunately for the German, the FIA ​​did not appreciate this maneuver, which Fernando Alonso did not expect.

According to FIA regulations, the race was under safety car regime until crossing the finish line, the safety car having joined the pitlane on the last lap, and any overtaking was therefore prohibited. Article 40.13 of the FIA ​​regulations is clear on this subject: “ If the race ends while the safety car is deployed, it will re-enter the pit lane on the last lap and the cars will take the checkered flag as normal, without overtaking. » Michael Schumacher still tried his luck, in doubt or in ignorance, and lost.