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Schumacher's Shanghai bad luck returns
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-16 14:11
Michael Schumacher's bad luck at the Chinese Grand Prix continued on Sunday
when his Ferrari was disabled on his way to the starting grid in a pre-race
collision with Minardi's Christijan Albers.
Schumacher was making his way to the starting grid 30 minutes before the
start of the race when he drifted to the left of the track and was plowed into
from behind by Albers, sending up a cloud of debris. The accident left his front
left tire badly askew, blackened the chassis and shredded his rear tire.
New Formula One World Champion
Fernando Alonso, left, chats with 2004 World Champion Michael Schumacher
during a group photo session before the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai,
China, Sunday Oct. 16, 2005. [AP] | Schumacher
drove to the shoulder and scampered back to the pits to reach his backup car,
while Albers continued to his garage. Stewards said the incident was being
investigated.
The German is in a tight struggle for third place in the season's drivers'
championship, capping a disappointing year for the seven-time world champion.
Last year's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix was similarly disastrous for
Schumacher.
He started the race from the end of the pit lane _ 19th out of 20 cars _
after spinning out in Saturday's qualifying, then got stuck in traffic. He was
bumped by Jaguar's Christian Klien, spun in the 15th lap, shredded a tire and
was forced to make an extra pit stop.
"Certainly that was not my weekend, but I've had so many good weekends this
year," he said at the time.
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