Schumacher blows it

Michael Schumacher has issued a heartfelt apology to Mercedes as the German marque endured a woeful start to their home race.

With four minutes remaining of the second free practice session on a wet Hockenheim circuit yesterday, as rain had dominated the 90 minutes, Schumacher suddenly lost control of his car and ploughed into a tyre barrier.

With the front and rear ends of the car damaged given the way he spun around upon impact, his mechanics face a long night carrying out repairs ahead of today’s qualifying session.

It was a rookie mistake from the seven-times world champion as he conceded: “The way I ended the second session was obviously not part of the plan.

“I’m sorry my mistake has given my guys even more work to do this evening. I simply slid off track because I lost a little concentration. We were talking on the radio and I was altering some settings at the same time.”

Jenson Button led a McLaren one-two with Lewis Hamilton at the end of first practice ahead of tomorrow’s grand prix.