Former Formula One driver Derek Warwick has revealed that Michael Schumacher could have been disqualified from last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 55-year-old, who raced for the likes of Toleman and Renault over a 162-race career, was on the stewards’ panel which penalised the Mercedes driver for his forceful defence of position from Williams’ Rubens Barrichello.
Schumacher was awarded a ten-place grid penalty for the next round in Belgium, however Warwick told BBC’s Radio Five Live that officials came close to showing him the black flag immediately after the incident.
“Throwing a black flag would have shown a better example to our young drivers,” he said.
“But by the time we got the video evidence we ran out of time and we had to do it retrospectively.”
Warwick was also disappointed with Schumacher’s attitude after the race and warned that stewards would not tolerate such actions in future.
“We interviewed Rubens and Michael and it was kind of disappointing how Michael handled it, and we had no option but to give him a 10-place penalty,” the Englishman added.
“If we had enough laps [we could have disqualified him] but you have to have video evidence and make sure all four stewards are in agreement.”
“You have to view the evidence you have and you could disqualify him from the next Grand Prix, or two Grands Prix.
“But we felt a 10-place penalty is a big penalty to carry for Spa. It kind of puts him out of the race at Spa, and hopefully he will learn from that and remember that the new stewards will not tolerate that driving.”
