BMW questions Ralf's decision

The German's return to the Formula 1 cockpit following his Indianapolis accident ended in an argument with his Williams team after he refused to get back into his car following a collision with David Coulthard that had left him with a puncture.

He had returned to the pits amid chaotic scenes as the Williams pit-crew was getting ready to refuel Juan Pablo Montoya and he instantly parked up - fearing that the back of his car had been badly damaged.

But the team subsequently found he only had a puncture and wanted him to return to the track - something that Schumacher refused to do because he had lost two laps while the team investigated the car.

That incident led to wild speculation that Schumacher would be replaced for the final two races of the season - something the team was quick to dispel.

However, BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has questioned why Schumacher was so keen to climb out of his car in the first place - even though he accepts why the German did not want to rejoin the race two laps down.

"Ralf was relaxed and focused all weekend," said Theissen. "He proceeded through practise sessions fine and did what the car was potentially capable of in qualifying.

"Regarding the end of his race, I could understand his unwillingness to go on with two laps lost. The question was not to go on or not, but if it was a wise idea to get out of the car so quickly..."

Schumacher himself admitted to being disappointed about what had happened, but said he could not believe the incident prompted speculation that he could be fired before the end of the season.

"It was alleged that my boss Frank Williams was so angry that I did not get back into the race that he supposedly told me that it was refusal to work," he said. "Some papers even wrote that I would be fired by BMW, that I would be replaced by Antonio Pizzonia and many other media simply copied that.

"Well, sorry to say that: bare nonsense! I told Frank right after the race why I decided in my way. Of course, we both were not too happy about the outcome of the grand prix."