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F1: Michael Schumacher involved in Raikkonen tyre blunder - press

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

According to the German press, Michael Schumacher may have played a role in the disastrous decision on Sunday to send Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen onto the dry Sepang track with wet tyres.

After the Malaysian grand prix, where as in Melbourne neither Ferrari driver scored points, team boss Stefano Domenicali said mistakes throughout the weekend mean the team needs to now "change our mentality".

But when - on the basis of a weather forecast - Finn Raikkonen was sent after a pit stop onto the basically dry circuit with rain tyres, even casual observers recognised the move as a reckless gamble.

"It reminded me of betting on a number in the casino," Brawn GP third driver Alex Wurz told ORF.

According to the German press, Domenicali refused to comment when it was suggested that team advisor Schumacher was among those who took the decision.

And the former seven-time world champion is quoted as saying by Bild newspaper: "I would not like to answer that. It is an internal matter."

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa said: "It had nothing to do with Michael."
photo:WRI2
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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