Schumacher aims to keep momentum

Schumacher made Formula One history as the first driver to win the same Grand Prix eight times.

Schumacher's commanding victory, from pole position on a sweltering afternoon at Magny-Cours, left the seven-time champion 17 points adrift of Renault's Fernando Alonso with seven races remaining.

Spaniard Alonso, the runaway winner in France last year on his way to becoming the sport's youngest world champion, took second place. Schumacher crossed the line 10.131 seconds clear of the field, lapping all but the top seven.

It was the 88th win in Schumacher's career, his fourth of the season and eighth at Magny-Cours.

"We had a good start and we drove our race from there," said Schumacher. "We were not sure how the race would go because we didn't do any long runs because of problems on Saturday morning so it was a guess how the race would go. But I must say the car, tyres the whole package worked superbly.

"I am sorry for Felipe, he could not keep second, but we are back on the podium and we got important points for that.

"We had a great start, and being first and second that is the ideal situation to start the race, it is a good result at the end of the day and we can be quite happy about it."

Schumacher, already far and away the most successful driver in Formula One history with seven championships, punched the air with his fists as he crossed the line for his second win in a row after Indianapolis on July 2.

Out of the car, the 37-year-old hugged French team boss Jean Todt with the Italian flag in his hands.

The German, who grabbed his 150th podium today, is now hoping to keep the momentum going in Germany.

"That is what we have to look on and hope for the coming races, to keep the momentum going," he said. "Obviously it is going to be a battle of development."

Brazilian Felipe Massa was third for Ferrari after making one more pit stop than Alonso in a race without major incident.

"I think the team did a good job, the car was very good and unfortunately I could not keep the position (second)," said Massa. "Looking at my championship I'm getting closer to Giancarlo and Kimi and hopefully we will keep this pace."