Ralf: pitstop problem cost me podium

Schumacher was running strongly until pitting on lap 22, when his mechanics had a problem with a wheel nut that cost the driver several seconds and dropped him down to seventh place.

But the Toyota driver recovered well and finished in fourth place, just five seconds off the podium.

"We can be very satisfied with what we achieved today," said Schumacher. "It's a pity that we had a problem with the wheel nut at the first pitstop because we could probably have made the podium but these things happen. It was also a pity that Jarno had his problem but apart from that it was a very good weekend.

"We expected the car to be competitive because that is the way it has looked ever since Friday practice. The race was good for us too - the car was quick and the Bridgestone tyres were very good too. Our tyres have had the edge all weekend and we made a very good choice aimed at this two-stop strategy for the race.

"Our package has improved at every race recently so we can now look forward to maintaining this kind of performance for the rest of the season."

Jarno Trulli also felt a podium finish slipped away after retiring with mechanical problems on lap 41.

Trulli had been running ahead of his teammate for most of the race, before he began to suffer problems with his engine and brakes.

"That was a real pity because everything was running smoothly in the first stint," Trulli said. "The car was quick and our Bridgestone tyres were great. Because I was on a two-stop strategy while everyone else was on three stops I was confident that I could have fought for the podium.

"Unfortunately after the first pit stop I felt a slight drop-off from the engine. Soon after that the brake pedal started getting longer and longer and it was too dangerous to continue so I had to come in.

"So again it was very unlucky and I'll add it to a long list of things that have happened this season."