Barrichello accepts Schumacher apology

Michael Schumacher has personally apologised to Rubens Barrichello for his aggressive driving at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which nearly resulted in the Brazilian getting pushed into the pit wall

Barrichello was left fuming after the Hungaroring event when Schumacher moved across on him to defend his position during a late-race fight for position - and pushed his Williams rival close to the wall.

Schumacher was handed a ten-place grid penalty for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix as a result of his driving - and issued a public statement after the event saying sorry.

However, he has waited until today to communicate personally with Barrichello - sending his former team-mate a text message to say sorry.

"I have no problem to speak to Rubens," said Schumacher at Spa-Francorchamps. "There were two reasons I sent him a text - one of the main reasons is that it was his 300th grand prix and we have quite a history together.

"I thought it appropriate to congratulate him and clarify the point, because he felt I wanted to push him against the wall [in Hungary] and that was not my ambition. I wanted to race very tightly without any contact. If he felt this [pushing him into the wall] was the case then I am sorry for that."

Barrichello said he accepted Schumacher's apology.

"I received a message from him today, an SMS," said the Brazilian. "Somebody said to him that I was under the impression he had pushed me onto the wall, and he said it wasn't the case and he apologised for that.

"I just said 'thank you, no problem'. I accepted it, and wished him a good weekend. Life goes on."