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Michael Schumacher Wins German Grand Prix

DW staff / AFP (jam)July 30, 2006

Michael Schumacher boosted his chances of snatching an eighth world title when he won the German Grand Prix for the fourth time with a faultless performance here on Sunday.

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The winners' podiumImage: AP

The seven-time champion led home his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa by seven tenths of a second to seal Ferrari's second one-two finish in the last three races. Schumacher also cut the gap to championship leader Fernando Alonso from 17 to 11 points after the Spaniard struggled to fifth place in his Renault.

For Massa, the result equalled his best finish in Formula One, and was his third visit to the podium this year.

Kimi Raikkonen, who started from pole position, came home third for McLaren, but only after making a stunning passing maneuver on Briton Jenson Button's Honda with eight laps to go.

"It was a surprise being so far in front of our rivals, but we'll take it," said Schumacher. "We had a superb weekend."

Motorsport Hockenheim Grand Prix
Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher in the lead as usualImage: AP

Massa said: "I'm getting used to the podium, not in first place, but my time will come.

"A one-two finish was our target, especially after seeing our pace yesterday morning. We thought we'd be very strong."

Surprised at own dominance

Michael Schumacher could not hide his surprise at Ferrari's dominance after the win.

He told a news conference immediately after the race that although he was delighted with his 89th Formula One win and his 70th for Ferrari, even he was surprised just how easily it came.

"Our car just functioned really great," said Schumacher. "We had a good work out before coming here, in the last test before the summer break.

"It is a package that is the reason we can perform as we do perform, but it is a bit of a surprise being that much in front. We will take it though.