Michael in Australia questioned the stewards' decision to penalise his countryman Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel, driving for Red Bull, apologised to his team and BMW's Robert Kubica for the crash near the end of the 2009 season opener.

The 21-year-old was also quoted by media as calling himself "an idiot", and it is believed he was equally as frank during the stewards' inquiry.

However, not everyone agreed that Vettel was entirely to blame, as he tried to defend his second place to the charging Kubica.

"He (Vettel) was on the inside - he couldn't make his car dissolve into thin air," Ferrari advisor and seven time world champion Schumacher said at Albert Park, according to Germany's Bild newspaper.

1982 world champion Keke Rosberg remarked that Vettel may have been penalised because he is an overly "honest chap".

Stewards ruled that he caused the crash and ordered Vettel to start ten places lower than his qualifying position in Malaysia this weekend.

"I think it's hard but we just have to accept it," Sebastian said.

Source GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

It was a tough call by the stewards, but definitely seems a little one sided given the fact that both drivers clearly made a mistake. Oh well. Vettel will recover from this and come back stronger in Malaysia even with a 10 spot penalty.

 

I agree he was in the racing line and had no where to go when Kubica moved down on him.

 

Agree with the article, Vettel had the racing line and couldnt exactly move much more. I thought it was a little agressive on Kubica's part. I think he knew he was running out of time and he made a somewhat rash challenge for the pass.

 

I for one think it was Kubica's fault more than Vettel's. Vettel held his line and had no where to go when Kubica shut the door on him. They both messed up, but I think Kubica messed up more. For Kubica to get out scott free is ridiculous.

 

At least Kubica should be penalized as well, and Im a BMW fan so this isnt a biased opinion.

 

Kubica was at fault more then Vettel IMHO.... He was Stupid in my eyes and even the announcers said it as it happened. Vettel's tires were going and Kubica would have had him before the end of the race without making that stupid move and taking them both out. What was Vettel to do, give up the line he had or just run off the race track... Shumi is dead on....

 

Schumacher has always liked Vettel. Wasn't there a story about how Schumi discovered Vettel and has helped him along?

 

They are BFF's

 

^^They have competed together in ROC for the last two years.^^ However, that doesn't take any validity away from Schumi's point. This is yet another instance where the stewards have unfairly distributed penalties.