Ralf: Red Flag Cost Me a Podium

Williams driver Ralf Schumacher has claimed the early finish to today's Brazilian Grand Prix cost him a possible podium finish.

The chaotic race was stopped 17 laps from the end after Fernando Alonso crashed heavily into the debris left by Australian Mark Webber, who had crashed moments earlier. German Schumacher made a pitstop while running third, but the premature end of the race did not allow his rivals to pit and he went on to finish in ninth place outside the points.

"The timing of the red flag was really bad luck for me," said Schumacher. "If this accident hadn't happened I assume that I would have been on the podium as many cars in front of me still had to stop for fuel. All in all my car was reasonably good under these difficult conditions, even though I must admit it was really a hard job to keep it on the track."

The Williams team endured a torrid day, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya also failing to score any points. Montoya lost control of his car on lap 24, crashing out of the race.

"After about 20 laps the track was fairly dry almost everywhere apart from turn three where there was still too much water and I lost the car," admitted the Colombian. "Everyone who went off there had the same problem that I had, they were sliding too much because of aquaplaning."