Michael Schumacher cops blame for crash

NEW DELHI: Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, who will retire from the sport for the second time at the end of the season, took the blame on Friday for a high-speed crash during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The 43-year-old German said he had misjudged the entrance to the 'spoon curve' before sliding across the run-off area and ploughing into the barrier, losing his front wing.Schumacher also has to deal with a 10-place grid penalty after a crash in the last race in Singapore.
"We had two quite eventful sessions today, with a lot of work on the cars and my off in the afternoon. I had to go to the Medical Centre which was a precaution from the FIA but I am 100% okay," Schumacher said after the first practice session in Suzuka.
"I think I was already concentrating too much on the corner ahead of me and therefore had a wheel on the dirt and went off. Overall, we had not been able to collect as much data as we would have wanted, as we had a lot of breaks working on adjustments to the cars, and we will also have to improve the balance," he added.
About the incident, the seven-time world champion, said, "Basically, I went a bit wide on the entry to turn 13 and I guess I touched the grass and lost control for that reason.
"At that moment you are already focusing on the entry for the corner so you sort of lose the vision to the outside, especially with our low seat position you don't always have perfect vision. I made a mistake there and lost control."
Schumacher is also concerned about preserving the tyres for Sunday's race in the heat of the Japanese Grand Prix. "Obviously, with these temperatures the tyres will be a limiting factor, too. We will now certainly have to work a lot off the track, in front of the computers, and try to find the best approach for tomorrow," he said.