Nurburgring, June 30: McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen has put a brave face on losing further ground to Michael Schumacher in the Formula One world championship.
The Ferrari star has a seven-point lead following Raikkonen's retirement from the European Grand Prix with an engine failure while leading.
Schumacher, who grabbed the series lead with a win in Canada two weeks ago, would have made up even more ground had he not tangled with Juan Pablo Montoya and dropped from second to fifth place.
Raikkonen said he was not too worried about the gap, even though it is more difficult to make up ground on rivals this season following a change in the points system. "The gap to Michael can easily be closed with a good result," the Finn said. But the 23-year-old made no effort to hide his disappointment at losing what looked like being his second win of the year.



Raikkonen had a four-second lead over Ralf Schumacher when his engine failed on lap 26, leaving Schumacher to lead home Montoya for a Williams one-two.


Raikkonen, who started the race from pole position, said: "It's a shame to have a weekend like this - you're the fastest, then you can't finish.



"I got a magnificent start and I would have won easy."



It was the first time his car has let him down this season. Raikkonen's team-mate David Coulthard had another disastrous day, spinning out while trying to take fifth place from Renault driver Fernando Alonso three laps from the end. The incident is under investigation by the race stewards.



Coulthard said: "He braked much earlier than he had on the previous laps and it was definitely questionable."


Bureau Report