At the Miami Grand Prix, there was a scandal next to the track. Ralf Schumacher complained during and after the race about the brutal pace of the security service.
Miami – Sunday's Miami Grand Prix went off without any major incidents, with world champion Max Verstappen securing his third victory of the year. Next to the track, however, there were unsightly scenes. The trigger for this was the security forces present, who also took disproportionate action against television crews. This was criticized by former Formula 1 driver and current TV pundit Ralf Schumacher in his column, after he had already complained about the pace of security during the broadcast.
| Ralf Schumacher | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 30 June 1975 in Hürth |
| Formula 1 starts: | 180 (6 wins, 6 poles) |
| In Formula 1: | between 1997 and 2007 |
| Greatest success: | 2 x World Championship fourth (2001, 2002) |
"Idiots": Expert Ralf Schumacher rants about security at the Miami GP on live TV
The race at the Miami International Autodrome had just ended when the three first-place finishers Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez and Fernando Alonso were brought to the award ceremony in a car. The security forces apparently took this as an opportunity to cordon off an area. In doing so, they pushed Schumacher and Sky presenter Peter Hardenacke rudely to the side. "They're idiots," the 47-year-old said audibly during the live broadcast.
In his column for the pay-TV channel, he specifically addressed his negative experience with Miami security. "It just doesn't work that way," wrote the younger brother of motorsport legend Michael Schumacher. "The security pushed me over so brutally, which hurt me a lot," he said, describing the security service's actions, adding: "Like a steamroller, we were pushed to the side in this canal – and with a high degree of brutality."
Expert Ralf Schumacher and presenter Peter Hardenacke were rudely pushed off the track by the security staff. © nordphoto GmbH/imago
Ralf Schumacher: Former world champion Jenson Button also felt the harshness of security
"We forget about the scratches, but it just doesn't work that way," he continued. However, the security guards did not only take action against him, a former Formula 1 world champion also felt their mercilessness. "Jenson Button, for example, wanted to go through the area from the inside, which the securities held back in an unpleasant way until someone from Formula 1 apologized," Schumacher said. "There was no overview at all."
The two-time World Cup fourth-place finisher made a clear demand on the organizer due to the incidents. "I expect an apology. But it is much more important that something like this does not happen again," Schumacher emphasized.
Schumacher defends "idiot" statement on TV: "I stand by that"
Schumacher does not regret his statements against the employees of the security service – on the contrary. "I said to the camera during the live broadcast that they were idiots. I stand by that," said the uncle of Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher and announced consequences.
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"We will contact Formula 1 about this. This was the first time in over 20 years of Formula 1," he said, affirming the violent actions of the security. After Miami, the teams and drivers will travel to the United States twice this season, with further races in Austin and Las Vegas.