Ferrari's Michael Schumacher fought a breathtaking battle to claim the title of Formula one chines Grand Prix on Sunday. 

The victory, Schumacher's first win in Shanghai, means he is now level on points with Renault racer Fernando Alonso with just two races remaining, but is top having won one more race than the Spaniard this season.

Alonso's bid to win the race was effectively ended by crucial errors in his pit stops, having first been left with little grips that left him chasing a huge gap, though he finished strongly to take second.

His team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella finished third while Jenson Button took fourth place and Pedro de la Rosa ended in fifth place.

Schumacher conquered a tricky damp track and the sixth place from the starting grid for the victory, a real boost to his title hope.

The seven-time world champion announced last month in Monza that he would retire at the end of this season.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2006)