'FIA asked Schumi to be careful'

Ross Brawn has hailed Michael Schumacher's "fantastic" Italian GP, revealing that the FIA did ask the German to "be careful"

Schumacher had a storming start at Monza on Sunday, moving up to third place after overtaking Lewis Hamilton. He then spent the better part of the next 28 laps with the McLaren driver right on his rear wing.

Hamilton did manage to overtake Schumacher on lap 13 through Parabolica but the German fought back using his superior speed, thanks to his Mercedes engine, to retake the position around the Curve Grande.

There was, however, one indiscretion in the battle when, on lap 21, Schumacher made two moves to defend his place.

Hamilton was not happy and complained to his team over the radio with McLaren telling their driver that the FIA were aware.

This was followed by Brawn telling his driver several times to "leave room at Ascari."

The battle eventually ended on lap 28 when Schumacher left room at Ascari and Hamilton blasted by.

"Michael drove a fantastic race, we know we haven't got the fastest car but we have seen everything we know about Michael Schumacher," the Mercedes GP team boss told BBC.

"The FIA were watching it (the incident with Lewis Hamilton) and asking us to be careful.

"It is a balance between racing and not overstepping the mark.

"They asked us to be careful, which we were. It was great racing - and great for F1."

As for Schumacher, who finished P5, he said it was a "fun afternoon."

Asked if his racing was 'clean and fair', he said: "I think so. As far as I was concerned there was no request to see the stewards, so I guess all is in order."

Source: Planet-F1