Schumacher: no regrets over gamble

Schumacher was the only top driver left with intermediate tyres at the end of the race as he took a gamble to achieve a result that would allow him to close the gap to championship leader Fernando Alonso, who had retired from the race already.

Schumacher, seven times a world champion and winner of the last three races, was lapped by Alonso after 25 laps but was fighting for a podium finish when he banged wheels with Nick Heidfeld and broke the steering with just three laps to go.

When that happened, Schumacher was struggling on track, unable to match the pace of his rivals, who were using dry weather tyres.

The Ferrari driver said he had no regrets about his decision.

"You can always say afterwards, 'Okay, we could have surrendered a spot or two to get a few points.' But on the other hand, that's the way I am," said Schumacher.

"You fight until it's over, until there's nothing left and nothing's spinning anymore. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we could have done things differently.

"I always want to fight for the top which is why I have won so often. There are still five races to go. Nothing is yet lost and I will give it my all in trying to win the title."

Penalised two seconds in qualifying, like Alonso, Schumacher also had to pit for a new front wing after a collision with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella as the Italian went past in the early stages.

Alonso still leads Schumacher by 11 points with five races remaining.