Schumacher Says Race Should Have Been Halted

World championship leader Michael Schumacher said on Sunday he had hoped the Austrian Grand Prix would be stopped after he crashed out on the first lap.

Asked whether the race should have been red-flagged, the German Ferrari driver said: "From my position, yes."

"The marshalls did a very good job unfortunately in cleaning the circuit so obviously you have the safety car and it is the same for everyone.

"It hurts obviously if you feel that the race could be stopped, then you could just jump in the other car and you have a second go. But that's the way it goes."

Schumacher said he was sure the accident that ended his race had not been deliberate but said Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, who caused it when he tapped the rear of the Ferrari, had "over-estimated his ability".

He said he would be seeking a "quiet word" with the British American Racing driver.

The accident sent the Ferrari spinning across the track where it was hit by the Jordan of Italian Jarno Trulli and his Benetton compatriot Giancarlo Fisichella.

Schumacher kept the engine running but to no avail. All three drivers were forced out of the race while Zonta was given a 10-second stop-go penalty.

"That's racing. It sometimes can happen," said Schumacher. "I don't think Ricardo is a person who does anything like that purposely. He just over-estimated his abilities.

"I will have a quiet word with him next time."

Fisichella said the race should have been stopped: "Three of the protagonists are out and it was stupid not to red flag."