Schumacher: we limited the damage

The Ferrari driver, starting from fifth place after a disappointing qualifying performance, finished just 2.1 seconds behind Alonso after the Spaniard's advantage was erased when the safety car was deployed with nine laps to go.

"Thanks to the safety car everything got together again," said Schumacher, now 25 points behind his Renault rival at the halfway point of the season.

"Shame there was not another ten laps left, which could have made it a bit more entertaining.

"It was very easy to go off line and lose a lot of time. It was a tough race in a way but due to the beginning it was pre-decided I just had to drive according to the situation. When the safety car came out we went a bit more towards attacking and luckily we gained a position."

Schumacher looked set for third place but he moved to second on the final lap, when McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen ran wide at the hairpin.

The German was pleased to at least minimise the damage.

"I would have wished the race kept on going for a bit longer but we needed a mistake (from Alonso)," he added. "Although I have to say in this condition it is easier to make this kind of mistake, which could lead to an overtaking opportunity.

"It was what it was, we limited the damage."