New Delhi: Michael Schumacher clinched a thrilling San Marino Grand Prix at Imola to be back in contention in the drivers’ standings.
Schumacher resisted intense pressure from current world champion Fernando Alonso and recorded a seventh win at the Imola circuit and his 85th career victory on Sunday with a two second margin.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya finished third on the podium ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa after a clever strategy by his McLaren crew at the final round of pit-stops.
Schumacher led from the beginning from front-row qualifier Jenson Button, Massa and
Alonso as Brazilian Rubens Barrichello dropped two places to fifth in his Honda.
The safety car was brought in right after the first lap after an accident which involed Midland's Christijan Albers, who rolled his car five times after Japan's Yuji Ide tried to overtake him in the second part of the corner.
Both drivers walked away unscathed although Albers could not race any further.
During the end laps, Alonso continued to pressure the leader, but it was he who made a crucial error with three laps to go.
Schumacher thus managed a slender lead and he held on to it, winning his 85 Grand Prix win, and his first in 13 races.
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen finished the race in fifth ahead of Williams' Mark Webber and Jenson Button.
Giancarlo Fisichella came in eighth, completing the points-scoring positions.
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