Subdued Ralf settles for third

However the German said that the tragic events of the past week meant he felt it wasn't appropriate to celebrate, despite edging closer to David Coulthard in the drivers' championship.

"Because of the bad things that have happened I find it difficult to celebrate," said Schumacher. "I hope everyone understands the reasons for my reaction to what's going on."

He briefly led the race, but blistering rear tyres and problems with car set-up cost him the chance to go for the top spot on the podium. Even so, he scored points for the third time in four races and closed to within nine points of Coulthard in the battle for second place in the drivers' championship.

"We didn't get it right the whole weekend," said Schumacher. "We had a few problems with the tyres but the team did a fantastic job in finishing first and third.

"I had such big problems with the rear tyres," he explained. "And I wouldn't have been able to hold Rubens [Barrichello] off even without his move on me in the chicane. We had a fair fight, but he had lighter car. In fact I was one of the heaviest at the beginning.

"I had big oversteer from the start which blistered the tyres, but like Juan Pablo I got used to the way the car handled. But I have to say on the second set of tyres the car was just perfect, the best I have had all weekend, until the rears blistered and that was it."

He praised his team for getting both cars to the finish, the result marking only their second double-helping of points this year.

"That's a great achievement to have our cars first and third so a big thanks to the team," he said.

Schumacher has 48 points, Barrichello 54 and Coulthard 57 with two races remaining.