Michael Schumacher Disputes FIA Points Decision

08.04.03
Schumacher said that the world governing body FIA did not act upon its rules which say that full points can only be given in a stopped race if more than 75 per cent of the distance are completed.

The race was stopped during the 55th of 71 scheduled laps because of a series of crashes, but the final results were - according to FIA rules - based on the listing after 53 laps.

"One gets full points if three quarters of the distance is completed - which would be 54 laps - 55 laps were raced but two are deducted. Based on this Raikkonen was declared the winner," Schumacher told Germany's RTL television.

A result after 54 laps would have 76 per cent of the race, but 53 only 74 per cent.

Schumacher, who crashed out during the race, insisted that the FIA can not base the points on 54 laps because they then must also declare Giancarlo Fisichella winner because he passed Raikkonen in the 54th lap.

"If they (FIA) say that more laps were raced then they must declare Fisichella the winner. It will be interesting to see how the explain this," said Schumacher.

Had Raikkonen only won half of the points he would have 21 instead of 26 points, leaving Schumacher (who has 8 points) with a smaller deficit to make up. The top eight finishers of a race get points for the world championship standings.

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