Ralf's winning streak comes to abrupt end

The result also cost the German badly in the world championship standings, as his three major title rivals finished second, third and fourth. Ralf now lies fourth in the points table, having dropped behind team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya.

BMW motorsport director Mario Thiessen explained that the bodywork that worked loose on Schumacher's car was in danger of overheating the engine. "Ralf's race was good until a guidevane was torn off and blocked the airflow," he said. "This caused the water temperature to rise and Ralf had to undertake an additional stop to remove the debris."

Schumacher said: "This was obviously not what I expected from this race, and the result was obviously disappointing. The extra stop cost me a decent finish, and after it had happened, the race was more or less over for me. It was just bad luck."