Schumacher lashes out at Miami security staff 'idiots'

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Ralf Schumacher has denounced the behaviour of security staff at last weekend's Miami Grand Prix, branding members of the event's enforcement team "idiots" after he was manhandled by the latter.

Schumacher, who works on site in F1 for Sky Germany, says the skirmish occurred as security intervened before the podium ceremony and cordoned off individuals ahead of the arrival of representatives from Red Bull and Aston Martin who were attempting to reach the celebrations.

The former F1 driver was left a bit scratched and bruised after the commotion, while Schumacher claimed that his fellow Sky F1 colleague Jenson Button had also been manhandled by security.

"The events after the race were unpleasant," Schumacher wrote in his Sky Deutschland column.

"The securities cordoned off an area with ropes until the team bosses of the top three could gather. That was still okay," he recounted.

"Jenson Button, for example, wanted to go through the area from the inside, but the security held him back in an unpleasant way until someone from Formula 1 apologised.

"There was no overview at all. The security pushed me over so brutally, which hurt me very much. We'll forget about the scratches, but it just doesn't work that way.

"I expect an apology. But it's much more important that something like this doesn't happen again."

Read also: Stewart takes the mickey out of Miami GP grid security staff

Schumacher said that Sky Germany was determined to contact Formula 1 about the incident.

"I said into the camera during the live broadcast that they were 'idiots'. I stand by that as well. We will contact Formula 1 about this.

"That was the first time [it happened] in over 20 years of [being around] Formula 1.

"Like a steamroller, we were pushed to the side in this channel – and with a high level of brutality. That is simply not acceptable. We were not in the way at any time.

"They handle things disproportionately in the USA. They don't know their way around and don't know how the interaction in Formula 1 works."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.