Canada, June 17: Michael Schumacher has criticised Formula One's new points system for failing to reward his race-winning exploits this season. Schumacher claimed his fourth Grand Prix victory of the season in Canada on Sunday to move ahead of McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen in the drivers' standings. But he is irritated that he now leads the Finn by just three points, even though Raikkonen has won only one of the eight races so far this year. "It's obviously good - and strange at the same time," said Schumacher after taking his career points tally to 999 with his 68th win. "If you imagine that one wins one race and the other wins four races and there's only three points difference you think whether that's right or wrong. I'm probably not so pleased with it."

Schumacher was relieved to hold off brother Ralf's Williams in Montreal after taking advantage of Ferrari's slightly heavier race fuel load to move into the lead after the pitstops.

"That was the ideal result. It was a tight and tough race and I wasn't able to push all the way through and drove the pace I needed to," the world champion said. "We had just a bit more fuel and that's what got us the win. I opened the gap in the pit-stop windows. "It is always good to go into the championship lead but I think it will be a tough fight to the end."

Bureau Report