Schumacher wins once again at San Marino

Michael Schumacher held off Fernando Alonso in a tight duel Sunday to win the San Marino Grand Prix. Schumacher covered 62 laps around the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in 1 hour, 31 minutes, 6.486 seconds, with Alonso 2.0 seconds behind.

It marked the Ferrari driver's record seventh win at Imola and the 85th of his career. Apart from last year's U.S. Grand Prix, when only six cars competed because of a tire dispute, it was Schumacher's only other win since the end of 2004.

Schumacher started from pole position and championship leader Alonso began fifth. By the 35th lap, Alonso was on Schumacher's tail but could not pass the seven-time world champion.

The scene was the opposite of last year's race here, in which Alonso held off a surging Schumacher over the final 12 laps.

This time, Alonso went into the pits on the 40th lap, while Schumacher came in one lap later and managed to come out just in front of the Renault driver. Schumacher's expert blocking skills and Imola's narrow track prevented any serious attacks from Alonso the rest of the way.

McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya finished third, 15.8 back.