Eddie Jordan defends Michael Schumacher Former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan has come out in defence of Michael Schumacher, following the Ferrari driver’s controversial “parking” incident at Monaco in May.
Jordan, who gave Schumacher his Formula 1 debut at Spa in 1991, said in his latest column for F1 Racing that there is a difference between gamesmanship and cheating and that the German’s actions in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix – where he was found to have deliberately stopped his car at La Rascasse corner hindering the progress of others - were not preconceived.
“As a former insider this is my take: Alonso was threatening the pole, so when Michael locked up at Rascasse, he thought, ‘Holy ****!’,” said Jordan.
“Then in a split-second unsporting moment, parked the car.
“I notice he later apologised to Fernando, which was correct. Why on earth did other drivers not within seconds of Michael’s time, think they should get involved? The fact is, the finger pointers are jealous of Michael.”
Jordan added that while he considered Schumacher’s actions to be ill-advised, he felt the recriminations which followed were wholly disproportionate.
“Yes Michael’s move was questionable,” he said. “But he was punished so let’s not have a witch hunt.”
“He’s already lost credibility, which is a pity, because Michael is the cleverest and the quickest and doesn’t need to play tricks.
“In years to come it would be a crime if he was remember for something he wasn’t – a cheat.”
Source - www.itv-f1.com |