Schumacher in Hot Water over Collision

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The experienced Michael Schumacher was given a reprimand Sunday for his part in a collision with Mexican Sergio Perez during an incident-packed Singapore Grand Prix.

The 42-year-old seven-time champion, driving for Mercedes, clipped the back of Perez's Sauber as he prepared to pass him on lap 28 of a 61-lap race won by his fellow German Sebastian Vettel.

Perez was unhurt in the collision, in which an airborne Schumacher crashed into the barriers and was eliminated from the race. Perez was able to continue but had to make a pit-stop because of a puncture.

Schumacher said the accident was the result of a misunderstanding, but the race stewards gave him an official reprimand.

Perez said: "I think Michael was too optimistic with what he tried. It is a shame to have lost a place to Felipe (Massa) in the end, but the tires were finished and I couldn't defend anymore."

Schumacher said: "It was a very unfortunate ending to my race and obviously I am a bit disappointed.

"What happened was what I would call a misunderstanding between Sergio and myself.

"He was about to go inside and lifted, and I was not expecting him to do that so early, and therefore hit him.

"It's probably one of those race incidents which look more impressive from outside than from inside, as I am totally OK and my impact in the end was not too heavy.

"It was a pity because my car and the tires worked well and therefore the pace was very good. I will look ahead to the next races and hope to have better endings."

In a separate incident, the International Motoring Federation (FIA) fined Lotus 10,000 euros for the unsafe release of Finn Heikki Kovalainen into the path of race leader Vettel during his final pit-stop.