Germany, Aug 21: Williams driver Ralf Schumacher has effectively won his appeal against his penalty for causing an accident at the start of this month's German Grand Prix. Schumacher was originally told he would be demoted 10 places on the grid for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. But the sport's governing body, the FIA, has revoked that penalty and fined the German £33,000 instead.
The FIA's court of appeal upheld the race stewards' decision that Schumacher "caused an avoidable collision", but decided the sanction imposed was "inappropriate".
The court also said it would ask the German race stewards to re-investigate the roles of McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari in the first-lap collision on the grounds they might have to take some of the blame.

With overtaking so difficult at the Hungaroring, the decision to overturn the original penalty is a boost for the Williams team.
Williams team owner Frank Williams said: "We are delighted the Court of Appeal has seen fit to remove the serious penalty of a 10-place demotion on the starting grid for the next race.
"The substitution of a financial penalty at least means we can compete in Hungary with Ralf still in a competitive position in both championships.
"The hearing proved to be a fair and transparent review of all the factors that culminated in the incident and the team can now turn its full attention to the following race in Budapest."
Schumacher, who had claimed the crash was a normal racing incident, said: "I am delighted with the decision. After the hearing, I didn't expect too much, but I'm happy with the conclusion that was reached."
A statement from the FIA said: "It appeared to the court, in particular from reading the report by Peter Wright (technical and safety consultant) analysing accident data recorder information, not available to the stewards, that some responsibility might possibly be imputed to the other two drivers involved in the incident.

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"The court decided that the case should be referred back to the panel of the stewards of the German Grand Prix so that the conduct of Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen can be considered in the light of the evidence from Mr Wright."

Schumacher says he has not yet given up hope of winning the world championship, despite being 18 points behind his brother Michael who is leading the title race with four races to go.
Ralf Schumacher's team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, is second six points behind Ferrari driver Michael, with Raikkonen a further three points adrift.


Bureau Report