“Pushed me over so brutally,” Ralf Schumacher demands ‘apology’ from Miami GP stewards and security over mistreatment
Six-time F1 race winner, Ralf Schumacher, has demanded an apology after he was manhandled and hurt by the security and stewards at the Miami GP.
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Ralf Schumacher via FOCUS
The events following a star-studded Miami Grand Prix were hectic. In American races, one always expects to find big celebrities, and it was no different here. Personalities ranging from entrepreneurs, actresses, sportspeople, and musicians made their presence known at the paddock. The event was overall a success, with only certain aspects facing heavy backlash.
One such aspect in question is the behavior of the security team and stewards. Ralf Schumacher, a multiple-time race winner, and now a pundit, was one respected figure who was mishandled by security. Following the race, Schumacher has opened up on what really went down.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, “The security pushed me over so brutally, which hurt me a lot. We forget the scratches, but it just doesn’t work that way. I expect an apology. But it’s much more important that something like this doesn’t happen again. We were pushed aside in this canal like a steamroller – and with great brutality. That’s just not acceptable. We never stood in the way.”
During a live broadcast, the former Williams driver called them ‘idiots’ on camera and did not express regret for his statement. He did mention that he would be contacting Formula 1 regarding the incident. This was his first negative experience with Formula 1 in over 20 years. According to him, the stewards in the US deal with issues disproportionately and lack familiarity with the workings of Formula 1. He believes they are not well-versed in the sport and its operation.
Ralf Schumacher’s experience was not a standalone incident
Apart from the fact that a respected personality like Ralf Schumacher was disregarded and pushed brutally, other famous and iconic figures too suffered mistreatment at the hands of the security team at the Miami GP. These include the likes of Jenson Button, and even F1 legend, and three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart.
Schumacher described the events after the race as unpleasant, with security personnel cordoning off an area using ropes until the top 3 team bosses could assemble. While this was acceptable, he noted that Jenson Button was held back by the security personnel in an unpleasant manner when he attempted to enter the area from the inside.
The situation was only resolved after an apology was made by someone from Formula 1. He also expressed that there seemed to be a lack of coordination and organization in the situation. This was almost similar to what Stewart endured.
In an effort to arrange an interview between Martin Brundle and tennis star Roger Federer, the respected veteran attempted to contact Federer himself. However, much to the surprise and disappointment of the F1 community, he was blocked by security personnel. The situation escalated when Stewart was physically pushed aside while trying to approach Federer. Shocking, considering his esteemed status, and his old age.
These circumstances are completely unacceptable and are blatant disrespect to the figures who represent Formula 1 heritage. The FIA must prioritize rectifying these shortcomings in the future, as this level of disrespect and disregard for the status these people posses is not a good sign for the sport. Many fans are already unhappy with the direction F1 seems to be heading in. Combine it with this, and there’s going to be outrage.
In case you missed it:
- WATCH: “Haters, go to hell”- Max Verstappen’s engineers slam fans showing middle finger at the Dutchman in Miami GP
- Daniel Ricciardo claims he might return to F1 2024, says he has some ‘unfinished business’
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Tanuj Sadasivam
(245 Articles Published)