Happy Schumacher Praises Button

San Marino Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher said that he was "mind-blown" by the performance of BAR-Honda driver Jenson Button during the opening laps of the race.

Schumacher cruised past Button during the opening set of stops and dominated the race as Button's pace fell away â€" but the German six-time champion admitted he is now very wary of BAR-Honda's pace.

"It was mind-blowing what Jenson put up in front," said Schumacher, who scored his fourth win out of four races. "I thought it was raining for me and dry for him! He was disappearing and it took a few laps to get everything going and chase him.

"His first stint was quick and I was thinking it would be a busy and tough afternoon but for whatever reason we kept our pace throughout the race and they dropped off."

Schumacher made an aggressive start to the race when he was forced to fend off the Williams-BMW of Juan Pablo Montoya after failing to get off the line on the dusty side of the track. Montoya hit out at Schumacher for his tactics â€" claiming the German had pushed him close on two corners before forcing him wide and almost into the wall at Tosa on the opening lap.

But Schumacher said: "It was very slippery on my side at the start and it was difficult to keep Juan behind but I wanted to avoid him getting by me. I wanted to stay in touch with Jenson."

Schumacher, an ambassador for San Marino, was delighted to score his fourth victory in five years in the principality in what could be the last race ever held at the historic Imola track.

"It is a fantastic emotion," said Schumacher. "It is a dream come true to come home and deliver a perfect result and it was really fantastic for our supporters, the tifosi"