Mercedes fined after Schumacher pit-stop gaffe

Mercedes has been fined following the botched pit-stop for Michael Schumacher during the F1 2012 Chinese Grand Prix.

Schumacher had been running strongly in second in the early stages, when he dived into pits for fresh rubber on lap 13. However, his mechanics failed to secure the front right tyre properly and he had to pull of the circuit and retire shortly afterwards.

The FIA investigated the issue after the race and imposed a 5000 Euro penalty for what was judged a breach of Article 23.12 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, an unsafe release.

"The prompt action of the driver, in stopping the car as soon as the problem was noticed, is taken into account in the penalty determination," the stewards added.

Schumacher's team-mate, Nico Rosberg, of course, went on to win the race for the German manufacturer.