Ralf Schumacher stormed to victory in today’s European Grand Prix, heading a Williams 1-2 ahead of team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya.

Schumacher won the race by a commanding 16.8 seconds, having taken the lead on lap 26 when Kimi Raikkonen’s Mercedes-Benz expired to leave the young Finn with his second consecutive non-finish of the season.

Raikkonen took command of the grand prix in its early stages, heading the field into the first corner with ease. Although he made his first – and only pit stop – of the race earlier than expected on lap 16, he maintained a healthy lead of some five seconds prior to his retirement.

Ralf Schumacher took over the reigns thereon in and failed to disappoint his and BMW’s home supporters. He was never threatened for victory and consistently lapped in the 1MIN 32’s and 1MIN 33’s – a feat not to be sniffed at.

It was a doubly disappointing day for McLaren: David Coulthard spun to retirement just two-laps from the chequered flag following an intense battle with Spain’s Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello rounded off the podium standings, finishing in third position after a quiet race from the Brazilian. His team-mate, Michael Schumacher, wasn’t fated with the same fortune and he clashed with Juan Pablo Montoya on lap 43 at the Dunlop hairpin whilst battling for second position.

Schumacher somewhat controversially rejoined the circuit in sixth place with assistance from a number of Marshals, and both of the drivers are under investigation for the incident.

Fernando Alonso eventually finished the race in a well-earned fourth place, although the atmosphere at Renault was dampened by his team- mate, Jarno Trulli, retiring on lap 38 with mechanical gremlins.

Elsewhere, it was an eventful race for Toyota who, after an impressive showing throughout weekend, saw both their drivers retire from the race.

Olivier Panis, after an earlier spin in the race at turn one, made a near-identical error on lap 39, but this time he beached his car into the gravel trap, making it a disappointing end to the Frenchman’s European Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Cristiano da Matta’s attempt to complete the race was halted on lap 56 when he suffered an engine failure on his Toyota heading into the final chicane.

Jacques Villeneuve’s race was a disaster from start to finish: having battled his way passed the Minardi of Jos Verstappen, the French- Canadian spun off the track at turn two just nine laps into the race, demoting him to last position. Although he managed to climb his way back up the field, he was forced to pit for a new nosecone after he damaged his BAR at the final chicane on lap 14. He finally retired from the race on lap 54 with suspected mechanical failure.

Jenson Button, meanwhile, finished in seventh spot for the team, claiming another two points for their championship tally. The Briton finished just behind the Jaguar of Australia’s Mark Webber.

Nick Heidfeld finished in eighth place after starting the race from the pit lane, thus claiming the final point for Sauber. His team- mate, Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished closely behind in ninth, making it a successful outing for the Swiss-based outfit. Antonio Pizzonia rounded off the top ten for his Jaguar team.

The Jordans of Ralph Firman and Giancarlo Fisichella finished in sync to take 11th and 12th – the latter suffering from a delaminating tyre on lap 55, forcing the Italian to make his fourth and final pit stop of the race.

Justin Wilson and Jos Verstappen complete the classification for Minardi – the young Englishman once again out-racing his highly-rated team-mate.