Schumacher matches own win record
 |  Schumacher has only tasted defeat once this year and is set for a seventh world title. |
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HOCKENHEIM, Germany -- Michael Schumacher equalled his own record of 11 wins in one season with a commanding victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
The Ferrari driver, who has now won all but one of the 12 races staged this year, matched the mark he had set in 2002 to move closer to a seventh world championship title.
Britain's Jenson Button drove an inspired race to take second place from 13th on the grid, with Fernando Aloso Spain in third place.
The dominant German set off from pole position in his home race and blew away his rivals on the Hockenheim track in warm, dry weather, surrendering the lead only briefly because of pitstops.
"It was fantastic to win this race at home where I haven't been that successful," said Schumacher, overjoyed with his 81st career victory but only third at the Hockenheimring. "Then some numbers came together this weekend. It's unbelievable."
Schumacher, who has won all but one race this season, waved to the red-shirted Ferrari fans throughout his victory lap. He said the crowd support helped him tremendously.
"The atmosphere this morning, it was just fantastic -- and then to win the race," Schumacher said. "It was great fun."
The battle between rising young stars Button, in a BAR, and Alonso, in a Renault, provided the main enterntainment of the race.
Button started from the seventh row after losing 10 places on the grid due to an engine change on Friday.
Alonso's third place and the fact that Schumacher's team mate, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, could finish only 12th mean Ferrari will have to wait before securing the constructors' title.
The Italian team needed to score 13 points more than Renault to wrap it up with six races remaining.
Britain's David Coulthard took his best result of the season with fourth, while last year's winner Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams finished fifth after a sorry start from the front row he shared with Schumacher. Jaguar's Mark Webber was sixth.
Antonio Pizzonia, the new Williams driver, impressed on his debut for the team with a seventh-place finish. He replaced Marc Gene, who took over for Ralf Schumacher after Schumacher's crash at the U.S. Grand Prix in June.
The Italian team needed to score 13 points more than Renault to wrap it up with six races remaining.
The next Grand Prix is in Hungary on August 15.
Reuters contributed to this report.
