Friday March 10th, 2000

Three-time world drivers champion Jackie Stewart accused Michael Schumacher of going "over the top" and causing his own unnecessary accident in Friday's opening day of practice for Sunday's season opening Australian Grand Prix.

Schumacher, who clocked the fastest time for Ferrari before crashing out of the afternoon's action, was accused of lacking proper mind management and not taking due care by the former chief of the Jaguar team.

"He paid the price in the end for going over the top," said Stewart. "He was very enthusiastic, too enthusiastic in my opinion. I don't believe it is necessary to prove you are the fastest in every session in that kind of way.

"You could see it coming. He was off the track before and he seemed to lose control of himself. I said he was going to have an accident and he did. Everyone was going off because this track is always dirty and dangerous on the opening day -- I warned my drivers about it before the start.

"I was surprised that someone with his tremendous ability and experience made such an unnecessary mistake. He should have known better and if he was in my team I don't think I would have been too pleased with him."

Schumacher said he knew he was going too fast and blamed himself for his crash -- which happened ironically on a fast corner in a section of the track between the Stewart and Schumacher stands, named after each man.