Schumacher wins German GP - just 11 points behind Alonso

By Elmar Dreher Jul 30, 2006, 16:43 GMT

German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Ferrari celebrates with his mechanics after winning the German Grand Prix at the racetrack in Hockenheim, Germany, Sunday 30 July 2006. EPA/JENS BUETTNER

Hockenheim, Germany - Michael Schumacher won his German home Grand Prix in commanding style on Sunday to have the full momentum on his side in the Formula One title duel with Fernando Alonso.

Schumacher won his third race in a row - ahead of Ferrari team- mate Felipe Massa and pole position-holder Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren - with Alonso far off the pace, equalling his season-worst fifth place.

Alonso still leads with 100 points after 12 of 18 season races, but Schumacher is just 11 points behind on 89 - more than halving what was a 25-point gap at the halfway mark of the campaign.

Schumacher now has the psychological edge after his fifth win of the season and 89th overall and can now take the title again without the help of others.

'It couldn't have been a better weekend. We didn't simply win but but managed to narrow the gap at a crucial time in the season. The next races shouldn't be a problem as we will have a competitive car. But we have to expect Renault to come back,' Schumacher said.

'The championship could become really, really exciting and we could be first in the end.'

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore acknowledged Ferrari' current supremacy, with Alonso trailing by more than 40 seconds in the second half of the race.

'It was obvious that we had problems. Our Michelins had a lot of blisters, we must deficitely co-operate better again,' said Briatore.

But he also insisted: 'We are not nervous. We are still first.'

Saturday's qualifying already indicated that Ferrari and their tyre partners Bridgestone were again superior over Renault and Michelin, with Schumacher and Massa earning second and third place on the grid while Alonso trailed in seventh place.

Raikkonen got the first season pole for McLaren-Mercedes with little fuel on board and also won the race start.

But the Finn's dream of a first victory since October 2005 ended on his first pit stop in the 11th lap when the crew had problems changing the right rear wheel. But he at least got third place after failing to finish in all five previous showings at the race.

Schumacher took the lead in that lap and never looked back although Massa remained close behind for Ferrari's second one-two finish in three races and 72nd for the famed Italian team overall.

Schumacher is the first man to win the Hockenheim race four times in what could have been his last appearance there. Schumacher is yet to decide whether he will continue his career beyond the season and Hockenheim will most likely see no race in 2007.

The German took the chequered flag after 67 laps of 4.574 kilometres for 306.458 kilometres in 1 hour 27 minutes 51.693 seconds.

Massa and Raikkonen followed to get the other podium places, Jenson Button impressed with fourth place in a Honda while Alonso had to settle for fifth and even had a late scare when he rode out into the grass.

Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, Toyota's Jarno Trulli - up from 20th place on the grid - and Christian Klien of Red Bull were also in the points placed sixth to eighth.

McLaren-Mercedes were happy to get back onto the podium but Raikkonen admitted it was close because of the pit stop hiccup and major hydraulics problems which badly affected his steering and gear- changing.

'It worked out pretty well overall and third place is a good result,' said the Finn.

The F1 continues next Sunday with the Hungarian GP in Budapest.