NUERBURGRING, Germany: Ralf Schumacher led a Williams one-two in the European Grand Prix yesterday after a dismal afternoon for Formula One's two title frontrunners.

Ralf's Colombian team mate Juan Pablo Montoya finished second, ending local hopes of a Schumacher one-two finish when he nudged Ferrari's championship leader Michael into the gravel with 17 laps remaining. It was Ralf's first win since Malaysia last year, his fifth career victory.

Ralf beat Montoya by 16.8 seconds in a race that exploded into action after a processional start. He led untroubled from the 26th lap when an engine failure ended Kimi Raikkonen's hopes of retaking the overall lead.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was third for Ferrari, ahead of Spain's Fernando Alonso in a Renault.

Michael Schumacher skidded off into the gravel after the collision with Montoya as the Colombian tried a daring overtaking manoeuvre on lap 43.

He kept the engine running, returning to the track in sixth place after four marshals pushed his car clear.

The five-time world champion, thwarted in his search for a 50th career win for Ferrari, moved up to fifth place three laps from the finish when McLaren's David Coulthard skidded off in a cloud of dust, narrowly missing Alonso.

Agencies via Xinhua

(China Daily 06/30/2003 page8)