Highlights

Alonso wins Monaco GP; Schumacher 5th

(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-29 09:19

Alonso and Raikkonen were separated by less than a second through 50 laps when Raikkonen's engine gave out.

"He was pushing quite hard but in Monaco it is impossible to overtake," Alonso said. "When I saw that is was impossible to open a gap, I controlled the tires so that when I wanted to push, my tires would be ready."

"You have to be conservative a little bit and push a little bit before the pit stops," he added.

Raikkonen's race ended soon after with his engine overheated on the 51st lap.

"There was a small fire caused by a heat shield which damaged wiring, and that was the end of the race for me," Raikkonen said.

It was the same problem he had in the first practice on Thursday when he ran just three laps.

Alonso started from the pole, moving up from second when Schumacher was stripped of the pole position late Saturday. Stewards ruled Schumacher deliberately stopped his car on the circuit _ blocking other drivers _ during Saturday's qualifying.

After setting the fastest lap, Schumacher appeared to brake too hard and stalled on the final turn.

Stewards ruled Schumacher stopped intentionally and took away his qualifying time and put him at the back of the grid. He choose to start from pit lane..

Schumacher defended his actions.

"I was amazed at how tough the stewards' decision was," Schumacher said. "I can understand that, from the outside, things might seem a bit strange."

"I am sorry that Fernando's lap was ruined and it was definitely not my intention to do that," Schumacher said.

He was never a factor in the race. He was a minute behind after 20 laps and salvaged fifth as others dropped out.