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Schumacher one point from F1 title
INDIANAPOLIS -- Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the U.S. Grand Prix to edge closer to his sixth Formula One drivers' title. Kimi Raikkonen's second place ensured the world championship will be settled at the final race of the year in Japan, but Schumacher now needs just one point to defend his crown. Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the third of the title contenders going into Sunday's race, could only finish sixth after incurring a time penalty in a clash with Schumacher's teammate Rubens Barrichello. "It was a great and important win," said Schumacher. "Now I am so pleased. This is such an emotional day. There was everything in it today and to win this at such a crucial stage in the championship means a lot." Schumacher's mastery of the rainy conditions at Indianapolis proved decisive as he progressed from seventh on the grid. The German assumed the lead for good after his final pit stop with 25 laps to go, claiming the checkered flag for the 70th time in his record-breaking career. Schumacher can now clinch an unprecedented sixth title by finishing in eighth place or better at Japan's Suzuka circuit on October 12. "It's a very good position for us to start the last race," Schumacher said. "We just need one point basically but you never know. To be first, first you have to finish. My target will be to win another race." Raikkonen, who must now win at Suzuka and hope Schumacher runs into problems if he is to win the title, finished almost 13 seconds behind for McLaren. "We lost the race because we were very unlucky today with the weather but what can you do?" the Finn said. "But you never know, maybe we'll have a very different race in the last one and it all can happen." German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished third to claim the Sauber team's first podium finish of the season. Italian Jarno Trulli, driving for Renault, and Nick Heidfeld in the second Sauber also finished ahead of sixth-placed Montoya. The Colombian's problems began on the second lap when Barrichello spun out with Montoya's Williams in close proximity. Forced to take a time penalty by race stewards, Montoya dropped well down the field and was lapped by early race leader Jenson Button. "A very disappointing race, basically decided by the penalty and the moment I had to pay it," Montoya said. "It started to rain hard just when I was given my penalty, which forced me to delay by one lap my pit stop to change on to wet tires. "It's sad to lose my drivers' championship chances this way."
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