Amid the pure theatre at Monza, Michael Schumacher capped his last ever grand prix in Europe by driving Ferrari’s ‘Tifosi’ wild on Sunday.
The 37-year-old, who within minutes of the finish told the press that he is retiring from the sport at the end of the year, pulled his championship deficit to Fernando Alonso back to just two points, as the livid Spaniard retired with a blown Renault V8.
”I think I had to push the engine more than normal to recover from tenth,” said Alonso, visibly still upset after stewards dumped him back to the heart of the grid on Saturday.
After recovering from tenth to a potential podium spot, he fumed: ”Some people will be happy and I hope they can sleep well.”
Pole sitter Kimi Raikkonen finished the race second, ahead of podium debutant Robert Kubica, in the BMW-Sauber formerly occupied by Jacques Villeneuve.
Schumacher’s win was his fifth at Monza and the ninetieth in his career.
GP Italy, race
1. M. Schumacher Ferrari 10
2. K. Räikkönen McLaren + 8.000
3. R. Kubica BMW + 26.400
4. G. Fisichella Renault + 32.000
5. J. Button Honda + 32.600
6. R. Barrichello Honda + 42.400
7. J. Trulli Toyota + 44.600
8. N. Heidfeld BMW + 45.300
9. F. Massa Ferrari + 45.900
10. M. Webber Williams + 1:12.600
11. C. Klien Red Bull + 1 lap
12. D. Coulthard Red Bull + 1 lap
13. S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 lap
14. V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 lap
15. R. Schumacher Toyota + 1 lap
16. T. Sato Super Aguri + 2 laps
17. C. Albers Midland F1 + 2 laps
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
