Schumacher laments error and spin

NURBURGRING, Germany, July 24, 2011 (AFP) - Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher was left lamenting a mistake and a costly spin that left him to finish eighth in Sunday's German Grand Prix.

On a day when six Germans started the 24-car race, not one finished on the podium and defending champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull came home fourth, still frustrated in his bid to claim a first triumph on home soil.

But four Germans finished in the top ten overall - Adrian Sutil talking sixth for Force India ahead of Nico Rosberg and Schumacher in the two Mercedes. Timo Glock of Virgin finished 17th and luckless Nick Heidfeld of Renault retired after a collision with Swiss Sebastien Buemi's Toro Rosso.

But it was Schumacher, 42, who felt the most frustration thanks to his spin on lap 23 in front of his home fans. "My spin caught me by complete surprise, but that spot is known to be tricky in wet conditions, even if the conditions were not so wet today," he
said.

"Anyway, it obviously cost me some positions which was a shame. Towards the end, rain could have helped, but the chances were low so I did not count on it. "All in all, I am OK with the race. With the little improvements we have made, we can look forward to Hungary now."

Schumacher has won four previous German Grands Prix in his career and is the most prolific race-winner - 91 victories - of all time in a list of German drivers to have won a total of 119 races. Vettel has won 16.

But Sunday's victory by Hamilton increased the total of victories by British drivers to 215. Rosberg was also uncertain if his seventh was satisfying or not. "I didn't have a perfect set-up today and the car wasn't working quite as well as in qualifying," he said.

"I had some good battles with Massa but despite pushing hard, it was impossible to keep him behind me. "Seventh place is OK, but we know that we have some work to do to maximise our latest upgrades in the race."