Disappointed Schumacher Ready for a Fight

World Championship leader Michael Schumacher was disappointed after losing second place at his home Grand Prix when he suffered a puncture near the end of the race.

Schumacher, who started sixth for Ferrari, fought his way up to second place but suffered a puncture to his left rear tyre with three laps remaining and, after an emergency pitstop, finished in a disappointing seventh position, scoring only two points.

With four races remaining, Schumacher leads with 71 points with Juan Pablo Montoya second on 65, the Latin American having accumulated two wins, three seconds and one third on his hot streak since he won the Monaco Grand Prix on June 1.

The World Champion says he is looking forward to an exciting end to the season.

"Obviously, I am disappointed to finish only seventh after a tough race which could have brought me eight points," said the German. "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.

"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."

Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello retired from the race after an accident at the start.