Lauda baffled by Schumacher's error

"I don't understand it all. I can't find words to describe it," said Lauda after Schumacher wrecked his Hungarian Grand Prix hopes when he overtook two cars under red flags.

Lauda had also been critical of world champion Fernando Alonso for his antics during Friday's practice.

Seven times world champion Schumacher was handed a two second penalty for qualifying, a sanction that left him 11th on the starting grid at a slow and twisty circuit where overtaking is rare.

It also wiped out a similar time penalty imposed on his principal rival, Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso who qualified 15th.

"I'm incredibly angry," Schumacher told RTL television. "If you look at the situation, it's a bit difficult to explain. I think it makes more sense if everyone would look exactly at a tape of the events and make their own opinion. That should help explain a thing or two.

"But certainly, I have to blame myself."

Stewards said in a statement that the German, winner of the last three races, was punished for overtaking two cars under a red warning flag suspending the morning's final practice session.

"I don't think there is an explanation. He made a mistake," said Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn.

Spaniard Alonso, 11 points clear of Schumacher in the championship with six races remaining, was given a two second penalty on Friday for dangerous driving and for ignoring a yellow warning flag.

Schumacher's penalty restored parity between both title contenders, opening the prospect of neither appearing on Sunday's podium, and boosted Alonso's title hopes.