Highlights

Motor racing-Schumacher blasts title race wide open

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-31 08:55

HOCKENHEIM, Germany, July 30 - Ferrari's Michael Schumacher blasted the Formula One title race wide open on Sunday with a commanding one-two victory in his home German Grand Prix.

While the 37-year-old celebrated the 89th victory of his incredible career, serenaded by air-horns and his jubilant army of red-shirted fans, Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso limped home fifth.

The Spaniard's overall lead was slashed from 17 points to 11, leaving his championship hopes on a knife-edge with six races remaining and barely time to breathe before the next clash in Hungary in a week's time.

"The next races won't present any problems for us," said Schumacher.

"If we can keep this up, the championship will be really, really exciting. We hope to have our nose in front at the end."

Renault's lead over Ferrari was cut to 10 points in the constructors' championship.

In what could be his final race appearance in Germany, with his manager Willi Weber advising him to retire if he wins the title, Schumacher took the lead after 10 laps when McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen pitted.

The rest was straightforward. Schumacher's third win in a row, and fifth of the season, was one of his most important on what the seven-times champion could only describe as a "superb weekend".

On a blazingly hot afternoon, Schumacher and Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa were in a race of their own as they anchored the team's second one-two finish in three starts and tyre partner Bridgestone's 100th grand prix success.

They crossed the line in close formation, just 0.7 seconds apart, with Schumacher becoming the first driver to win the German Grand Prix four times.

JINX ENDED

"We have the edge on the other guys for three races," declared Schumacher. "We have to keep this advantage for as long as we can.

"The numbers are very important but at the moment, probably the most important is 11. And it's 11 points left in terms of the championship lead for Fernando.