• Italian Grand Prix 2006

Schumacher edges closer in title race with Italian victory

David Addison
September 10, 2006
Michael Schumacher clocks up win No. 90 © Sutton Images
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On the weekend that Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from the sport, the seven-time world champion secured his 90th grand prix victory.

Beaten to the first chicane by Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren, the German followed him to the first round of stops and went two laps longer, vaulting ahead of the Finn. Allowing for the second pit stops, there he stayed. Job done.

Fernando Alonso had an awful weekend. The stewards had a say in his result by taking away his best three lap times from qualifying causing him to start 10th. Alonso was investigated for allegedly blocking Felipe Massa's Ferrari and therefore costing the Brazilian a crack at pole. Even allowing for the fact that Massa benefited from the Renault's slipstream - and hence went quicker - the stewards agreed he had compromised Massa's lap, declaring it a foul. "This is no longer a sport," said Alonso.

Alonso retired from the race with engine failure with just ten laps to go, leaving Robert Kubica to take third behind Kimi Raikkonen. With the lead down to just two points, could Schumacher turn a farewell tour into a championship success?

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