Schumacher offers congratulations, apology to Barrichello on 'homecoming'

STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS

Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany leaves the pit during the first free practice session of the Belgian F1 Grand Prix in Spa Francorchamps August 27, 2010. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Paul Logothetis, The Associated Press

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM—Michael Schumacher's Belgian Grand Prix "homecoming" began with a message of congratulations and apology to his former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Schumacher recorded six Formula One victories in Spa — including the first of a record total 91 — and the seven-time champion said Thursday he felt like he was returning to his own house as he prepared to race in Spa for the first time in three years.

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"I've often called it my living room and there's lots of fantastic memories from the past and even some to look forward with the mixed weather prediction this weekend," the German driver said.

But Schumacher will start 10 places below his qualifying place on Saturday for "illegally impeding" Barrichello at the Hungarian GP, when he nearly forced the Williams driver into a concrete wall at high speed.

Schumacher said he sent Barrichello an SMS again apologizing for his actions and celebrating the Brazilian driver's record 300th GP.

"We have quite a history together, so I thought it was appropriate to congratulate him and clarify the point," Schumacher said. "He sort of felt that I wanted to push him against the wall and, very clearly, this was not my ambition. I wanted to race very tightly but without any wall contact. And to clarify this point, if he felt this was the case then I was sorry for that."

Barrichello, who has won 11 times since his debut in 1993, accepted Schumacher's explanation.

"Somebody said to him that I was under the impression he had pushed me onto the wall, and he said it wasn't the case and he apologized for that," the Brazilian driver said. "I just said 'thank you, no problem.' I accepted it, wished him a good weekend — life goes on."

With Mercedes out of the championship picture and already planning for 2011 with its development, Schumacher was still looking forward to his return to the flowing, high-speed circuit in the Ardennes countryside.

"We have to see where we can use the strengths that the car has. We have to maximize our opportunities," Schumacher said. "Naturally, we want to still take as many points as possible to stay up in the constructors."

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