Brawn blames Fisichella for Schumi puncture.

Ross Brawn has put the blame for the puncture that likely cost Michael Schumacher one final victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix squarely at the door of Giancarlo Fisichella, suggesting the Italian clipped the back his tyre as the Ferrari made its way past.

Schumacher had made rapid progress through the field in the early stages of the race from tenth on the grid, using his superior straight line speed to slip past the Renault into turn one on lap nine, only for the rear of his Ferrari to snake out through turn one straight away as it became clear he had picked up a puncture.

Still, it was not immediately obvious as to what exactly caused the left-rear tyre to deflate, with claims suggesting that it was as a result of picking up debris from Nico Rosberg's smash on the opening lap.

Brawn however was adamant as to who caused the puncture, pointing the finger at Fisichella who had made the slightest of touches with Schumacher as he attempted to find a way back up the inside of the Ferrari.

It was an incident that overshadowed a stunning performance by Schumacher, the seven-time world champion launching a stunning assault back through the field, making up a deficit of nearly 45secs to cross the line in fourth place. Nonetheless, it made Brawn all the more bitter about what occurred on that lap.

"Everything was extraordinary today: the car, the drivers, the Bridgestone tyres and the team work. It was really frustrating that we were unable to see Michael bring his career to a close with a win. His race was compromised by a puncture caused by the collision with Fisichella, whom he had just overtaken."

Indeed, Bridgestone appeared to corroborate Brawn's claim, suggesting that Schumacher's tyre had been cut as if it had come into contact with the front splitter of Fisichella's Renault.

"Nevertheless we are disappointed that Michael should have such bad luck in the final race of his career," said technical manager Hisao Suganuma. "He had to pit early for a replacement tyre after it was cut, most likely as he passed Fisichella, but what was clear today was that the Ferrari drivers were by far the best out there today and I strongly believe they were assisted by a performance advantage from the Bridgestone tyres."