Analysis: Schumacher Turns Heat on Raikkonen

Michael Schumacher kept his cool during a fiery pitstop today to win the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix and turn the heat up on Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen.

The World Champion savoured the 67th win of his record-breaking career, beating McLaren's Raikkonen into second place and cutting the young Finn's Championship lead to two points.

It was evident that a weight had been lifted from Schumacher's shoulders after the boos and jeers that followed his now infamous 'team orders' victory at Spielberg's scenic A1-Ring last season.

Ferrari triggered worldwide outrage in that race by ordering Brazilian Rubens Barrichello to move aside at the last corner and let Schumacher triumph.

"I feel like a winner now," said the German, happily spraying champagne on the podium and performing a trademark leap with fists raised high.

Barrichello was third, helping champions Ferrari move a point clear of McLaren.

Yet Schumacher's hopes almost went up in smoke on lap 22. The Ferrari mechanics hurriedly doused the car with fire extinguishers as flames flared up when a jammed fuel rig was wrested free during his first pitstop.

"I guess the mechanics felt I was a little bit too cool and wanted to warm me up," the German joked after finishing 3.3 seconds clear of Raikkonen for his third win in a row.

Ferrari and the governing FIA announced they would investigate what turned out to be the main talking point of the race.

"The only exciting bit was Michael catching fire and seeing him sitting there just watching it go out and then going off to win," said Jordan's race and test engineering head Gary Anderson.

Briton Jenson Button was fourth for BAR, equalling his best ever finish, compatriot David Coulthard fifth for McLaren and Ralf Schumacher sixth for Williams in his 100th race alongside older brother Michael.

Australian Mark Webber scored points for the second successive race in a Jaguar, despite a stop-go penalty for refuelling before the race, and Italian Jarno Trulli handed Renault the final point.

Eventful

In an eventful race with two aborted starts and a brief scattering of rain, Schumacher led from pole until the first pitstop. The 20.4-second stop left him adrift of Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya who led for Williams from lap 24 until his engine blew up eight laps later.

"I'm not angry, what happened was just racing," said Montoya.

The race was shortened by two laps after starting problems, with Toyota's rookie Cristiano da Matta twice bringing out the red flags as he waved his arms in distress. The safety car was also deployed for four laps at the start after Jos Verstappen's Minardi was stranded before the first corner.

Sunday's race was billed as Austria's farewell before being replaced next year by new races in China and Bahrain.

Curiously, the last Grand Prix at the Old Osterreichring in 1987 also required three starts to get under way.