Schumacher: F2002 Would Not Have Won

World Champion Michael Schumacher gave his new Ferrari a winning debut in Spain as title leaders McLaren were reduced to mere spectators.

Schumacher, atoning for his worst start to a season, claimed his second successive triumph for the 66th victory of a record-breaking Formula One career. In an unforgettable afternoon for the thousands of Spanish supporters, Fernando Alonso finished his home race in second place for Renault.

Schumacher's win lifted him up to second place overall, four points adrift of McLaren's Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen, who crashed on the starting grid and could not add to his tally of 32 points after five races.

The German, whose mother died on the morning of his last win in Italy two weeks ago, leaped and let the champagne flow at last as he showered Alonso and Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello with spray.

Schumacher, now four points behind Raikkonen, claimed he wouldn't have been able to win the race with the old F2002.

"I was thinking it was going to be a tough race, I was expecting a very tough fight (with Alonso) - and it was," Schumacher told ITV television. "But I think we are happy to be here with the new car because I think the old car wouldn't have been able to make it.

"It's (the new car) very special and it's fanastic what they've done."