Schumacher Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Black Flag Incident

Formula One driver Michael Schumacher may have his championship lead significantly reduced following a disciplinary hearing in Paris today, after he repeatedly ignored the black flag during the British Grand Prix two weeks ago. Schumacher is likely to be docked six points for his finish in second place at Silverstone, and may also face suspension from his home race, the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on Sunday. The hearing comes after the stewards imposed a five-second penalty on Schumacher for twice infringing the rule banning overtaking on the final pre-race parade lap.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael Schumacher may be docked six points from his current lead in the Formula One drivers' championship, reducing it from 7,239 to 6,639.
• Schumacher's potential suspension from the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim could be a significant setback, potentially reducing the gap with Damon Hill to 17 points.
• Schumacher's team, Benetton, was previously fined $25,000 (GBP 16,500) and reprimanded for not being fully conversant with the F1 rule book.
• Damon Hill, the British Grand Prix winner, is also summoned to appear at the hearing for infringing the rule that competing cars must proceed to the scrutineering bay without stopping after the race.
• Two other drivers, Mika Hakkinen and Rubens Barrichello, face censure for not having stewards' permission to leave the circuit after the last-corner collision between their McLaren and Jordan.
• Nigel Mansell was fined $50,000 for ignoring the black flag in 1989, and was also suspended from the following weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
• Schumacher has insisted that he did not see the black flag, and compared the situation to Nigel Mansell's case in Portugal, claiming it as a separate issue.

Statistics:

• Current lead: 7239 points
• Potential new lead after 6-point deduction: 6639 points
• Gap reduction with 10-point win for Damon Hill: 17 points
• Fines imposed:

+ Michael Schumacher's team, Benetton: $25,000 (GBP 16,500)

+ Nigel Mansell (1989): $50,000

• Suspensions:

+ Nigel Mansell (1989): 1 race (Spanish Grand Prix)