Petrov hit with five-place India grid penalty

Vitaly Petrov's Renault mounted the back of
Michael Schumacher's Mercedes © Sutton Images

Vitaly Petrov will have to serve a five-place grid penalty at the next grand prix as punishment for causing a collision with Michael Schumacher in Korea.

Petrov was fighting for position with Fernando Alonso when he out-braked himself heading into turn three and t-boned Schumacher's Mercedes. The collision accounted for both cars' retirement, badly damaging Schumacher's rear wing and breaking Petrov's steering.

The stewards in Korea decided Petrov had "caused a collision" and was therefore in violation of the rules. They deemed the incident serious enough to warrant a five-place grid penalty in India and a reprimand.

When he returned to the paddock, Petrov admitted to the BBC that he was fully responsible for the collision: "I apologise to Michael, it was not his fault, it was absolutely my fault but it's racing."

The stewards also fined HRT €5,000 for an unsafe release of Daniel Ricciardo during one of his pit stops.

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