Schumacher criticises Melbourne safety

The three time World Champion revealed he talked yesterday to officials about the very corner where he had his 120mph accident. The German said he planned to meet officials again ahead of Saturday's qualifying session.

Schumacher made the worst possible start to his title defence when he spun off the circuit and went into a double barrel roll after his wheels caught on a ridge of sand.

"It's not good enough," he fumed after getting out of the car.

Ferrari team boss Jean Todt said the team had asked officials to level sand traps on several corners after an inspection Thursday.

"The work had been done on some corners but not on the one where the accident happened," said the Frenchman. "We are going to talk to officials again and maybe they will be more responsive this time."

Schumacher was angry but unhurt by his accident: "When I looked at the track yesterday I did feel there was a problem with the run off area as there was a step down from the grass to the gravel."

He believes the consequences of the accident would have been far less serious if those suggested measures had been implemented at that particular corner.

"It looked worse than it was to be honest," he said. "There was no heavy impact because I didn't hit any wall. I just rolled. It was my first one and I hope not to do it again."

Schumacher lost control of his Ferrari F2001 in the braking area for Turn Six of the Albert Park street circuit, a tight 70mph right-hander following a short straight. He said the accident happened after some confusion over yellow warning flags.

"On the corner before, there was a yellow flag, but no accident," he added. "I was thinking it was the same problem as earlier. When [Luciano] Burti had his crash, there was no yellow flag. I wasn't sure what was going to happen.

"On the next corner, there was suddenly a yellow flag. It was shown too late because it was right in the braking area. I touched the brakes a little bit harder to slow down and the rear went away from me."

Despite such an early setback, Schumacher will get back behind the wheel in Saturday's free practice and qualifying sessions, and Ferrari is confident that his race car can be repaired.

For the full practice session 2 results click here.