Schumacher takes Spanish Grand Prix

Reigning world champion Michael Schumacher took advantage of Mika Hakkinen's bad fortune to steal victory in a dramatic finish at the Spanish Grand Prix today. Just as the Finn was crusing to victory in his McLaren after he fought hard to gain the lead over Schumacher, his engine blew on the last lap of the Circuit de Catalunya and the Ferrari driver passed out his rival to take first place and open up an eight-point lead in the drivers' championship. Williams BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya won his first-ever podium finish, coming in second, while former world champion Jacques Villeneuve secured BAR's maiden podium finish in coming third.

Schumacher, now just four wins away from equalling Alain Prost's all-time record, eventually won by a 40 second margin. He was delighted with his surprise victory although he did have some sympathy for his McLaren rival. "I feel very sorry for Mika but I will accept the 10 points. That's racing. It has happened to me in the past and now it has happened to him. We both had a really good race, though I had a problem with my tyres vibrating after the second pit-stop. That might have allowed Mika to get ahead of me in the pit-stops. I wanted to see him to say sorry after what happened to him in the race with just five corners or something to go," he said.

It was a day to forget for the McLaren team. Hakkinen's team-mate David Coulthard, tied with Schumacher at the top of the drivers' championship before today's contest, was forced to start the race from the back of the grid after his car stalled on the warm-up lap. Matters went from bad to worse when the Scot was forced into a pit-stop on the first lap after he lost his front wing. It was testement to his current form that he managed to finish in fifth spot and earn a valuable point.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Jordan team, as Heinz-Harald Frentzen was forced out on lap six after he collided with Jaguar's Pedro de la Rosa but Jarno Trulli just missed out on a podium finish, coming in fourth. Eddie Irvine was going well until 15 laps from the finish-line when he was forced to retire after his car began to leak oil.

Filed by Amanda Fennelly