Schumacher involved in Raikkonen's tire mess

According to what was reported in the German press, Michael Schumacher played an important role in the disastrous decision taken on Sunday to send Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen out on wet tires on a track that was still dry. After the Malaysian Grand Prix, in which, as in Australia, neither of the two Ferrari drivers scored points, sporting director Stefano Domenicali declared that the mistakes made by the team during the weekend now require "a change of mentality".

But when - based on the weather forecast - the Finn was sent back onto the track after the pit stop with rain tyres, even casual observers came to the conclusion that it was too risky a move. “It was like taking a gamble at the Casino,” third Brawn driver, Alex Wurz, told ORF.

Again according to the German press, Domenicali refused to comment on whether team advisor Schumacher contributed to making this decision or not. Meanwhile, the seven-time world champion declared to the Bild newspaper: “I wouldn't want to answer this question. It's an internal matter.”

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa finally said: “I have nothing to do with Michael.”

Marco Privitera