Happy Michael Feels Sorry for Ralf

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher returned home in style on Sunday, adding a rare and record-equalling German Grand Prix win to his historic fifth Formula One title, but said he was sorry that his brother Ralf was unable to complete a Schumacher one-two.

The German champion, ever the unstoppable success machine with 62 Grand Prix wins to his credit now, was in control from the moment he started his home race on pole position for the first time.

On a day to delight one side of the family and disappoint the other, Schumacher led his younger brother Ralf for most of the race until the Williams driver was forced to make a third pitstop three laps from the end.

"It was a really tight battle between myself and Ralf and I think the German fans really loved that," said Schumacher.

The lost time pushed Ralf back to third, behind his Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya who finished 10.5 seconds behind the triumphant Ferrari.

"It's a shame what happened to Ralf, it would have been nice to have two Schumachers in first and second positions," the World Champion added.

It was the German's ninth win in 12 races, equalling the record for a single season that he already holds jointly with Britain's former champion Nigel Mansell, and his third victory in a row.

Schumacher equalled the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five titles at the last race in France and now has 106 points out of a maximum 120. Nearest rival, Montoya, is 66 behind.