Schumacher, Alonso Facing Sanction

Spaniard Fernando Alonso could be punished for the crash that halted the last Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix, FIA president Max Mosley said today.

Ferrari's five-times World Champion Michael Schumacher can also expect to be questioned about his driving in the rain-soaked April 6 race at Interlagos.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) boss told a news conference on Thursday before the San Marino Grand Prix that an FIA observer had submitted a report on Renault driver Alonso's crash.

The accident, with the Spaniard plunging at speed into wreckage left by the Jaguar of Australian Mark Webber, led to the race being stopped prematurely and the 21-year-old driver taken to hospital. Several other drivers had negotiated the debris safely before Alonso hit the scene.

"I think, but I'm not privy to their discussions, that the stewards would have wanted to talk to Alonso about that incident," said Mosley. "But he was in hospital and of course they couldn't impose any sanction more severe than a fine without hearing him under our rules.

"There is, I gather, a report from the FIA observer with the FIA and further consideration will have to be given to that incident because quite clearly something went wrong. It's a report and the report will be examined and if necessary action will be taken. It is not inconceivable that action will be taken."

Mosley said any eventual sanction was unlikely to affect Alonso's third place in Brazil. The Spaniard was not hurt in the crash and will race at Imola.

Crane Danger

Schumacher crashed out on the rain-soaked turn three in a separate incident that alarmed spectators as the German's Ferrari skidded towards a mobile crane lifting another car off the track. The World Champion hit the barriers harmlessly, but he could have finished up under the crane and some observers questioned the circuit safety arrangements.

Mosley instead turned the focus on Schumacher.

"When Michael Schumacher went off, there was a crane there moving a car," he said. "There were double waved yellow flags and double waved yellow flags means to slow right down and be prepared to stop.

"It is inconceivable under normal circumstances that a driver would go off under double waved yellow flags because the purpose of that is to slow him down to the point where there is not the slightest risk of going off. That is entirely because you have got men and machines working in that area.

"If somebody goes off there is a serious risk, apart from any damage to him, that he would kill a marshal. I don't know why Michael Schumacher went off and I don't doubt that this will be a question that (race director) Charlie Whiting will put to him in the drivers' briefing tomorrow."