Schumacher Supports 'Sensible' New Penalty

World Champion Michael Schumacher believes the introduction of a new rule by which drivers can be penalised by losing ten places on the grid is a sensible measure to avoid accidents.

Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, announced last week that the race stewards at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix will have the power to demote drivers ten places on the grid if they are deemed to have done something they consider punishable.

Ferrari driver Schumacher has revealed he supports the new rule, but believes that it has not been introduced as a consequence of the incidents in the first two races of the season.

"I don't think this is anything to do with the accidents we've seen this year," Schumacher told Motorsport News magazine. "It's just a more sensible way of trying to penalise someone who doesn't behave, instead of banning them for the whole race."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya already received a controversial drive-through penalty after clashing with Schumacher at the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Both their teammates Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were also involved in a first corner accident at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month.