Berger: Schumacher Jr not blame
BMW motorsport boss Gerhard Berger has insisted Williams-BMW had a 'fantastic' European Grand Prix despite an error made by Ralf Schumacher, which may have cost the team victory
Berger believes the team should be more than happy to settle for a second and fourth place finish at the Nurburgring. And he insists Schumacher's crucial mistake of crossing the exit line when leaving the pits, which netted the German a 10 second stop-and-go penalty, was an easy mistake to make.
"It has been a fantastic European Grand Prix," said Berger of the race which saw Schumacher challenge his brother Michael for the lead before finishing fourth and Juan Pablo Montoya race home in second. "We had both cars in the points to give us nine points. Montoya also clocked the quickest lap and was on the podium."
"Ralf had an unfortunate 10 second stop-go penalty. That cost him the possibility to win this race. It is not a good situation, but nevertheless I still think we had a fantastic race. It is a very easy thing to do. I think it was a bit hard today, but they [the race stewards] had their eyes on it. Rules are rules and you have to respect them."
The British team remains third in the constructors' championship with 37 points, but has closed the gap on McLaren to 16 points. Schumacher is fourth in the drivers' title and Montoya jumps up five places into fifth.
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