Quote:
Michael Schumacher's record-equalling fifth world title triumph was confirmed on Sunday despite a race stewards' inquiry into the decisive moment of his French Grand Prix victory.
Officials here looked into allegations that the Ferrari ace had illegally passed McLaren's Kimi Räikkönen four laps from the end while yellow flags were being waved. But the sport's governing body the FIA said that, after studying the incident, there were no grounds to strip Schumacher of his famous win.
"Having heard the explanations of the drivers and their representatives, and having viewed video evidence and examined the relevant sector times, the stewards decided that no further action is deemed necessary," the FIA said in a statement.
Schumacher clinched his fifth world title, and his eighth win in 11 races this season, four laps from the end of a gripping 72-lap battle at the 4.25km Magny Cours circuit after a slip from race leader Räikkönen.
However, the Finn's McLaren boss Ron Dennis immediately cast doubt on the vailidity of the Ferrari driver's triumph which took him level with the five titles won by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio.
Dennis claimed that Schumacher had passed Räikkönen for the lead when yellow warning flags were waving caused by oil left on the track when the Toyota of Allan McNish had crashed out with a blown engine. "Kimi entered a yellow flag zone and Michael overtook before there was a green one to let him pass," Dennis told said.
"The regulation is explicit - and Kimi was overtaken under a yellow flag." But Schumacher defended the crucial move. "I don't think I would have passed Kimi if it had not been for the oil as he drove a fantastic race.
"I was obviously warned by seeing his problem. At the time I was concerned that I had passed under the yellow flag, but in fact it was after the incident and I was on the racing line while Kimi was off it."
bron:f1racing.net
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nog een akkefietje na de franse GP, waar Ron Dennis zich meteen van zijn bedenkelijkste kant laat zien ...
Ok, onder geel mag je niet inhalen ... maar als de piloot voor je een fout maakt, en zo zijn plaats weggeeft ...
Ik heb de beelden gezien ... Volgens de letter van de wet was het ongetwijfeld een inbreuk tegen het reglement. Als je echter naar de geest van het reglement kijkt zie je dat er met het manoeuver van Schumacher (gewoon op de ideale lijn blijven) niks verkeerd is ....
airco