Schumacher and Alonso may be penalized

It's possible that Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso may face delayed penalties from the Brazilian Grand Prix when both went off under yellow-flag situations. Schumacher spun off at Turn 3 of the Interlagos circuit in treacherous conditions and nearly crashed into a crane that was in the process of retrieving other cars that has also gone off there.

Alonso's Renault hit a Jaguar wheel that was part of the wreckage left on track when Mark Webber crashed at the start of the pit straight, sending the young Spaniard hurtling into the barriers. The FIA is concerned how the incidents happened when drivers should have been cautious due to the yellow flags displayed at the relevant times.

"When Schumacher went off, there was a crane moving a car and there were double waved yellow flags, which mean slow down and be prepared to stop," said FIA president Max Mosley. "It is inconceivable that a driver should go off under double waved yellows."

"If someone does, there is a serious risk of killing or injuring a marshal, so the responsibility is on the driver to slow. I don't know why Schumacher went off and I don't doubt Charlie Whiting will ask him in the drivers' briefing (at the San Marino GP)."

"I think that the stewards would have wanted to talk to Alonso, but he was in hospital and they couldn't impose a sanction without hearing him," Mosley added in regard to the Spaniard. "There is a report from the FIA observer saying that further consideration might have to be given to that incident but I don't want to prejudge it. It is still going through the processes but it is not inconceivable that action will be taken."

Whether any penalty will be imposed or not, Mosley conceded that Alonso's third place in Brazil is unlikely to be in jeopardy.

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