Brawn: Ferrari will come back stronger

The Prancing Horse only scored two points at Hockenheim after Rubens Barrichello's first corner exit in a crash and Michael Schumacher's late-race puncture. Brawn says it will not capitulate to the challenge of Williams-BMW.

"We will regroup and come back stronger for the final four races of the season," said Brawn after the race. "It was disappointing at the end when Michael suffered a puncture while driving like the true champion he is. Losing second place like that was cruel luck.

"Michael's problem was a puncture; they happen occasionally, but in this case, it was particularly harmful, as it happened just after he had passed the pits. That meant he had to do almost a whole lap very slowly to come back in and change the wheel."

Schumacher considered himself unlucky to miss out on what had looked like another promising points haul, especially with title rival Kimi Raikkonen going out on the opening lap.

"I am disappointed to finish only seventh after a tough race which could have brought me eight points," he said. "Now I only have two, but at least I am still leading the championship. As I expected, Williams is now emerging as our main rival. I lost two positions after the start and I had to fight hard to get up to second. I have to say my car was working well throughout the race, even if I did not have the pace to catch Montoya, as he had built up a big lead by then.

"Towards the end, I picked up a puncture on the left rear and now we need to find out what caused it. Four races to go; it's going to be very close and the battle for the title will be very exciting, just as we expected. I am looking forward to the fight."