Ralf Schumacher was blamed and penalized for a three-car crash at the start of the German Grand Prix that took himself and two other top drivers out of Sunday's race.
After reviewing tape of the race, stewards put the blame on Schumacher and ruled that he will be dropped 10 places in the starting grid from the position he qualifies for in his next Formula One race.
The Williams team said it would appeal against the ruling. A final decision is expected before the next race, the Hungarian GP in three weeks.
Schumacher said he would accept the penalty if the appeal is rejected but still thought the accident was "an unlucky but normal racing incident."
The accident happened before the first corner.
Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari was squeezed in by Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren-Mercedes on the outside and Schumacher's BMW-Williams on the inside.
Barrichello did not get off to a fast start and Raikkonen was trying to pass him. Although it initially looked like Raikkonen had clipped Barrichello's front left wheel, stewards ruled that Schumacher had made first contact, bumping Barrichello and forcing his car into Raikkonen. Raikkonen spun out of control and crashed heavily into a tire wall, just missing the concrete section. His front wheels flew off as the front of the car broke apart. He was sore but not seriously hurt. The cars of both Schumacher and Barrichello were too damaged to continue. The accident involved the winner of the previous race in Britain (Barrichello), the winner of two of the last three races (Schumacher) and the No. 2 in the season standings (Raikkonen).
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