Rubens Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth

Michael Schumacher has been given a 10 place grid penalty at the next race in Spa for illegitimately impeding Rubens Barrichello (pictured) as they fought over the last point in the Hungarian Grand Prix with five laps to go. Barrichello narrowly avoided a 200mph collision with the pit wall.

Schumacher allegedly claimed to race stewards, who included British former GP driver Derek Warwick,that he had moved that way because he wanted to force Barrichello to try to overtake on the left and go the long way around at Turn 1.

Barrichello, however, said: “I do like a wheel-to-wheel battle but this was not a fair fight. It was a go-kart manoeuvre from him. If he wants to get to heaven before I do, then please do, because I don’t want to be the first. I decided not to back off the throttle and it was one of the most enjoyable overtakes of my career and it must have been one of his worst.”

At the time of the incident, Barrichello said over the radio to the AT&T Williams team: “Black flag, black flag! He should be black-flagged. That was horrible!”

For six years Barrichello had to play second fiddle to Schumacher at Ferrari before leaving to join Honda. After some post-race moments to reflect, the 38-year-old Brazilian said of his 41-year-old rival: “After a three year break and then a comeback, to do something like that…we just don’t need it.”

Nigel Hope, a member of the AT&T Williams pit crew also had a traumatic race, sustaining some injuries when he was knocked down by a loose wheel from Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes. Hope was able to return to duty in time for the second tyre stop of the afternoon following a precautionary check at the circuit medical centre.