Schumacher back to winning ways

Published May 31, 2004

NUERBURGRING, May 30: Michael Schumacher roared back as a winner again on Sunday after leading Ferrari to a one-two finish at the European Grand Prix for his sixth victory in seven races.

The six-time world champion gave his red army of flag-waving home supporters what they had paid to see, running untroubled from pole position to secure the 76th win of a record-breaking career.

Schumacher took the chequered flag 17.9 seconds ahead of Brazilian team-mate Rubens Barrichello as Ferrari's dominance returned with a vengeance at the closest circuit to Schumacher's boyhood home.

Briton Jenson Button, in a BAR, was third for his fifth podium finish of the season after Japanese team-mate Takuma Sato collided with Barrichello and was then sidelined by an engine failure with 13 laps to go.

Sunday's race brought champions Ferrari their fourth one-two of the year, a success all the sweeter after the German's run of five wins in a row ended with a bizarre crash in the tunnel behind the safety car in Monaco a week ago.

Italian Jarno Trulli brought his Renault home in fourth place with Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso fifth. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella was sixth for Sauber after starting in 18th place while Australian Mark Webber gleaned two points for Jaguar.

Juan Pablo Montoya was eighth for Williams after a miserable start for the BMW-powered team, with the Colombian colliding with team mate Ralf Schumacher at the first corner.

Ralf retired immediately after also being hit by the Toyota of Brazilian Cristiano da Matta. McLaren had a nightmare, both Finland's Kimi Raikkonen and Briton David Coulthard retiring before the halfway stage with engine failures.

Result (race distance: 60 laps, 308.863 km):

1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:32:35.101 (average speed 200.159 kph); 2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:32:53.001; 3. Jenson Button (Britain) BAR 1:32.57.601; 4. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1:33:28.701; 5. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:33:36.001; 6. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Sauber 1:33:48.501; 7. Mark Webber (Australia) Jaguar 1:33:51.301; 8. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1 lap behind; 9. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Sauber 1; 10. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Jordan 1.

FASTEST LAP: Michael Schumacher, lap 7, 1:29.468. -Reuters

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