World title fight is blown wide open

Kimi Raikkonen's superb runner-up finish for McLaren, coupled with Juan Pablo Montoya's third place for Williams and Michael Schumacher's lacklustre eighth in his Ferrari means that all of them have realistic chances of snatching the title. Schumacher has 72 points, compared to Montoya's 71 and Raikkonen's 70.

"The championship is now really close and at least I am still leading," said Schumacher. "Now we have an important test coming up in Monza, where I am confident we can improve our total package. All we can do now is work hard, with a team which I know is capable of doing exactly that and look forward to the final three races of the year."

Raikkonen's second place effectively counteracts the loss of points in the German Grand Prix, when he was taken out at the first corner.

"I'm very happy with today's result as we have closed the gap in the world championship significantly," said Raikkonen. "I'm looking forward to the last three races, and I know we will give it 100 percent and I can't wait. It's closer than before and anything can happen in the races. Hopefully we can improve the car and be quick in the next race also."

Montoya, meanwhile, said he was delighted with a podium finish today, but questioned Schumacher's driving tactics on the opening lap.

"You've got to push, and Michael is pretty aggressive in races," he said. "In Turn 2 today he just threw the car at me completely, I was a bit shocked by that. If that's the way he's racing, that's the way he's racing. It doesn't really help him at the moment. I am very happy about the points I scored today, especially because Michael got just one. Our team is now leading the [constructors'] championship - this is great!"