By Huw Alban
May 28 2006

Michael Schuacher and Ferrari are reeling under a press onslaught this morning under the news that the multi-World Drivers Champion deliberately caused yellow flags after setting his pole time lap. The FIA have sent the German to the back of the grid.

According to the official Formula One web site at Formula1.com:

"(Michael) Schumacher appeared to lock his brakes and then run wide as he entered the final Rascasse corner in the dying moments of the session. The former champion regained control without hitting the barriers, but came to a halt with his stalled car partially blocking the circuit, forcing other drivers to slow down.

"Following the session, the stewards heard evidence concerning the incident from Schumacher - who claimed it was a genuine error - as well as Ferrari personnel. They also reviewed video footage and data evidence supplied by the team and the FIA.

"Their finding was that Schumacher had no justifiable reason for braking so hard, as he had been traveling little or no quicker than at the same point on previous laps. They therefore concluded that he deliberately stopped his car on the circuit, an infringement of the sporting regulations."

This has had the effect of promoting Midland F1 up one place on the grid to 16th and 17th places, in a race where overtaking is next to impossible - even for a Ferrari.

The starting grid for todays race, as a result, appears as below:

1. Alonso
2. Webber
3. Raikkonen
4. Montoya
5. Barrichello
6. Trulli
7. Coulthard
8. Rosberg
9. Fisichella
10. R Schumacher
11. Klien
12. Liuzzi
13. Button
14. Villeneuve
15. Heidfeld
16. Albers
17. Monteiro
18. Speed
19. Sato
20. Montagny
21. Massa
22. M Schumacher

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