Schumacher ‘unplugged’ his radio in frustration after Race 1 mistake

David Schumacher has admitted that he was so frustrated at costing himself a points’ position in Race 1 that he had to unplug his radio after the German fell from fifth to 11th in wet conditions at Spa.

The German spent the majority of the race battling with Johnathan Hoggard for fourth before getting drawn into a mega five-car brawl that ended with him in 11th after a costly mistake.

“I tried to overtake him (Hoggard) into Turn 1, and we went side-by-side into Eau Rouge, but I had to back out and lost a lot of time there and a couple of positions,” said Schumacher, speaking honestly after the race. “I then made the same mistake again a few laps later and lost a couple more positions.

“I’m not a big fan of people talking to me during the race, especially when something isn’t running very well - I get quite mad and my aggression levels rise. The fact that I lost so many positions because I made a mistake was already killing me, so having people talk to me on the radio was frustrating me.

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“Four or five laps till the end I actually unplugged the radio because I didn’t want to hear anything. I don’t know if the team were happy with that, but I was happier.”

Rain delayed the start to Race 1, with the field forced to spend a period in the pitlane under Red Flag conditions, unsure of whether the race would go ahead, before eventually getting the green light to start under the Safety Car.

So how did Schumacher stay focused during this period?

“Joking around with the team helps,” said Schumacher. “But to be honest, as soon as the red flag came out, the first thing I thought about was that I needed to go to the toilet straight away.

“I hopped out of the car, went to the toilet and by the time I got back it was time to get back in and go again, so I didn’t really have time to think about anything. I wasn’t thinking much, I was focused on driving again and getting heat into the tyres.

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“When we started, I felt really quick, especially in the middle sector, but it was really, really difficult. The first couple of laps it was almost impossible to see anything down the main straight - I was blind braking, thinking about where I had to brake through feelings.”

Starting from second on Race 2’s reverse grid, Schumacher has a second shot at scoring points, but with his teammate, Jack Doohan, alongside him on pole, Schumacher said there will be an air of caution between them.

“With my teammate starting P1, we will have to check that we don’t hit each other,” continued Schumacher “Maybe I can get a win, maybe I will lose a couple of positions, you just don’t know. I am really looking forward to it and I hope that the track dries up a little before the race.

“I don’t think that me and (Jack) will have an agreement. We are both racing for the Championship and for points, but we won’t risk anything.”