de la Rosa said: "The car had the speed today and felt really good to drive. I really enjoyed the race and I am pleased to have scored some points for the team and be one the fastest of the Michelin runners." He slowed to a stop while driving his cool-off lap, amidst a cloud of smoke.
American SCOTT SPEED/Toro Rosso pulled off a tenth place finish while battling severe back pain from a pinched nerve and breathing difficulties he'd been suffering since his crash Friday in practice. Speed had been cleared to drive after X-rays and medical and physio treatment.
Alonso ran the new
Renault RS26-C engine Sunday. Renault head of trackside engine operations, DENNIS CHERVIER, said: "The C specification engine was introduced as a new family of engines, which gave us a baseline for then developing the V8 even further. Fernando will have a one-race old unit in Hockenheim, Giancarlo a brand new one, but both drivers will benefit from performance upgrades for the next race (in Hockenheim, Germany). The engine is intrinsically capable of achieving greater performance, and by changing both the tuning and the way we run the engine, we will be able to unlock more of it from the next race onwards.”
Schumacher closed within 17 points behind FERNANDO ALONSO/Renault in the
F1 drivers' championship and
Ferrari is only 21 points behind Renault in the constructors' championship.
The Ferrari drivers formed the front row, with Alonso in third. Alonso harried Massa from the start, with Massa feinting, doing his job as Renault-blocker and points spoiler.
This was one of the faster races, with an average speed of 135 mph. The temperatures were very hot, reaching 95 degrees F/45C, and track temperatures even hotter - 50C
Although
Michael Schumacher peeled off several fast laps and ultimately the fastest lap, his team-mate Massa also had his turn at being quickest.
