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Schumacher calls for safety revisions

Michael Schumacher has called for urgent safety improvements at Silverstone before next weekend's British Grand Prix following Ricardo Zonta's crash on Thursday morning

Zonta escaped with a cut finger after his British American Racing car spun, flipped over and landed in a restricted access enclosure at Stowe corner during testing.

Stowe was the same corner where Schumacher broke his right leg during last year's British Grand Prix.

This week was the German's first time back at Silverstone since his accident in July 1999.

Speaking to Reuters, the Ferrari driver said: "We have been in contact with Charlie Whiting (the FIA's official race director and safety delegate) to discuss a few things with him about this and to try and hopefully do something before the next race weekend here.


"Right now Charlie is in America. But we drivers who belong to the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) have told him there are a couple of things we must discuss. I want to discuss them with him before I explain to the media what can be improved.

"I am sure there are some detailed changes to be made that I think are vital such as inserts in tyres. I know that we cannot make massive changes but little detail changes will be vital."

Schumacher said he was amazed that Zonta, whose car suffered suspected suspension and wheel failure, had escaped with only a cut finger.

"It was very interesting to watch the accident and to see it over and over again on the video," he added.

"Ricardo is, luckily, unhurt and that shows how good car safety is. But it also shows that we cannot stop where we are even though Silverstone has improved safety.

"I was more emotional about seeing (Zonta's crash) rather than remembering what happened to me on that corner.

"I really only think of it now when I am asked the question.

"In Ricardo's accident the circumstances were very unusual. You don't normally lose your brakes or a wheel. But then these things do happen. In general, we have massively improved safety, but still we must investigate how it happened."

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