Schumacher given two-second penalty

Michael Schumacher has been handed a two-second qualifying penalty for an infringement in final practice at the Hungaroring this morning.

The Ferrari driver overtook when red flags were waving and will have two seconds added to his lap time in each of today’s three qualifying sessions.

That is exactly the same penalty which was imposed on world championship rival Fernando Alonso yesterday, for brake testing Robert Doornbos and overtaking under yellow flags.

The Renault driver’s qualifying times in each of this afternoon’s three sessions will have two seconds added, for brake testing Robert Doornbos and overtaking under a yellow flag.

Schumacher set the pace for Ferrari, clocked a best lap of one minute 20.795 seconds, with Felipe Massa 0.677secs behind for a Ferrari clean sweep.

Alonso, who has yet to comment on the penalty, was fifth fastest but he was more than a second behind Schumacher’s best.

Robert Kubica warmed up for his first Formula One qualifying session with third for BMW-Sauber while Rubens Barrichello was fourth in his Honda.

Jenson Button was in the top three when smoke suddenly belched from the back of his Honda as oil trailed across the track.

After parking on the grass, he was a frustrated spectator as marshals ignored the flames licking from the rear of his car, only putting out the blaze after Button pointed frantically.

As his mechanics prepared the spare car for him, Button slid down the order to 17th at the chequered flag.

If, as seems inevitable, Button needs an engine change, he will be hit with a 10-place grid penalty, giving him little chance of repeating his fourth place last weekend in Germany.

Scotsman David Coulthard improved his pace today to net 11th for Red Bull.