Schumacher Celebrates 'Dream' Result

World Champion Michael Schumacher celebrated what he said was a dream come true at today's San Marino Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver dominated the race at Imola to score his fourth consecutive win of the year and to equal his best start to a Formula One season. He had previously won the first four races of the 1994 season, when he clinched the first of his six titles.

Schumacher's win was his 74th and also the fourth at Imola in five years.

"This was a dream result, to come home after three races and give the tifosi what they wanted," said Schumacher, who now leads the Championship by 16 points over his teammate Rubens Barrichello.

"It is a dream come true, especially as I am an ambassador for San Marino. At the start, Jenson set a mind blowing pace: it was as though I was driving in the wet and he was in the dry. But after a few laps, everything came up to temperature and I was able to push.

"Fortunately, after that, I was able to maintain my pace, while his seemed to drop off. In the final stages, I eased off the pace to bring the car home. I hope we come back here to Imola."

The German had to fight off the challenge of Juan Pablo Montoya at the start, the Colombian going off the track while trying to pass him around the outside. Although the Williams driver slammed Schumacher for the incident, the Ferrari driver said it had been a normal racing one.

"I wanted to keep him behind me so that I would not lose touch with the leader," said Schumacher. "At first, I saw him attack me, but then I did not see him, nor did I expect him to come round the outside. I think it was just a racing incident."

Schumacher's teammate Barrichello finished in sixth place. Ferrari now lead the Constructors' Championship by 33 points over Renault.