I feared for Ralf, says Schu

Schumacher Jr was left in the middle of the start-finish straight with debris strewn around him after he ploughed into the concrete wall backwards at Turn 13 following a puncture to his left rear tyre. The Safety Car was immediately deployed with the drivers, led by Schumacher Sr, weaving their way through the carnage and past the Williams driver who was being attended to by the medical team.

Schumacher Sr was constantly being updated on the radio as to the condition of his brother, but the German admitted he was concerned the situation was much worse.

"Obviously the most concern I had was seeing Ralf sitting in the car for so long," he said. "I thought 'Oh please, don't let it be anything bad'. The worst thing was seeing him there for so long. They kept telling me [over the radio] that things weren't too bad and everything was alright, but I've heard this many times in the past and then found out differently afterwards. As far as my information is concerned, Ralf is well and that's all that matters.

"I was shocked when I saw it. I knew at some stage that Montoya was behind me whatever position, and I didn't know about Ralf having an accident, even doing the whole lap around. And then coming to the accident itself, I see the BMW. Obviously it was clear to me it was rough.

"I saw the way he hit the barrier, too, so I was very concerned. I don't think it helps to have a tyre barrier [there]. I think there it's better to have a, wall just to keep you sliding as with IndyCars. Tyres will probably have a worse effect in a way."