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Schumacher Learns to Enjoy Finishing 5th

Michael Schumacher has rarely been so content with a fifth-place finish in his distinguished Formula One career, but after starting Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix in last place he had good reason to be happy this time.

The seven-time former F1 champion had crashed his car during the first lap of Saturday's qualifying session, dampening his mood as he celebrated his 20th anniversary in the sport on the Spa track where he made his debut in 1991.

The crash meant he started Sunday's race from the back of the grid, but the 42-year-old drove with some of his old panache to weave his Mercedes through the field as his German countryman Sebastian Vettel won the race.

"A wonderful ending to a wonderful weekend here in Spa. I think more than fifth place would not have been possible today, but making up 19 places was a good feeling," Schumacher said. "With all my family, friends and fans here, it was an extra motivation, and I would like to thank all of them for their support."

After his wretched luck on Saturday, Schumacher avoid mishap early on as several drivers collided in front of him.

"At the beginning I was a bit afraid that some of the flying parts might hit and damage my car," he said. "But I was lucky that nothing happened. After that, I had big fun hunting and making my way forward."

Schumacher, who has won a record 91 GPs, waved to fans before the start of the race as he was paraded around the Spa track where he has won six times in the past.

"A great race from Michael at his 20th anniversary here in Spa," Mercedes vice president Norbert Haug said. "Michael drove impeccably and the team had a great strategy."

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Jenson Button's brilliant drive from 13th on the grid to third place at the Belgian Grand Prix impressed his McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh so much he compared it to a "Man of the Match" performance in football.

Along with his poor position on the grid, the 2009 F1 champion had to pit early on as his front wing got damaged after several drivers had bashed into each other at the start — meaning he came back out on the track down in 19th.

"Jenson drove a dazzlingly impressive race today. In fact I'd say without any doubt whatsoever that he was the man of the match," Whitmarsh said. "On the most challenging circuit in modern-day Formula 1 ... well, all I can say is that it was the kind of performance that marks out a true champion."

It proved an ultimately frustrating afternoon for McLaren, however, with Lewis Hamilton crashing out of the race after knocking into Kamui Kobayashi's Sauber.

Still, with the car's speed and reliability improving with every race, Whitmarsh is optimistic McLaren can win a GP for the fifth time this season at the Italian GP in two weeks' time. Hamilton and Button have two wins each.

"Our car and our drivers showed strong pace throughout this weekend, and we'll be aiming to convert that speed into victory at Monza," Whitmarsh said.

Sebastian Vettel won the race with his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber finishing second. They are also 1-2 overall, with Button and Hamilton fourth and fifth respectively with seven races to go.

But they both have more than 100 points to make up on Vettel.

"All we can do is focus all our efforts on trying to win as many of the remaining seven as we possibly can," Whitmarsh said.

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ANGRY ALGUERSUARI: Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari was angry with Renault's Bruno Senna, blaming the Brazilian for causing his early exit from the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Spanish driver had a good chance to pick up points after starting from sixth spot on the grid, but he was forced out of the race on the first lap when Senna, starting one place back the grid, slammed into the side of him.

"I don't want to speak badly about any other driver as it's not my style, but I think the situation was quite clear to everyone," Alguersuari said. "Going into the hairpin after the start, I was in the middle with Senna on my inside and Fernando (Alonso) on my outside and Senna completely missed his braking point and hit me."

Alguersuari did get an apology.

"I would like to say sorry to Jaime," Senna said. "I made a mistake in the braking area."

Mexican rookie Sergio Perez was one of four other drivers not to finish, along with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who crashed out, HRT's Daniel Ricciardo, and Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi.

"The car was very good and we should have scored points," Perez said. "On lap five I was in seventh when Sebastien Buemi changed his line in front of me under braking, I tried to avoid hitting him but couldn't as I had lost downforce."

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BLAME GAME: Kamui Kobayashi refused to take his share of the blame for the accident which sent British driver Lewis Hamilton's McLaren spinning out of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamiton pushed hard to overtake Kobayashi on lap 13 and bumped into the side of the Japanese driver's Sauber, sending Hamilton into the barriers. He was unharmed.

Kobayashi insists he did not try and block Hamilton's path as the Briton went to pass him on the outside.

"Regarding the accident with Lewis Hamilton, which happened when I was running in fourth, I knew perfectly well he was faster than me so had no reason to fight with him," Kobayashi said. "After he overtook me it was not my intention to get my position back, so I stayed on my line and didn't expect him to move over."

Source: Associated Press


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