Motorsport: Schumacher jinxed again

SHANGHAI - Michael Schumacher's Formula One season ended in embarrassment when he collided on the installation lap before skidding out of the Chinese Grand Prix behind the safety car yesterday.

The seven-times world champion began the race from the pit lane in a spare car after crashing with Minardi's Christijan Albers on his way to the starting grid.

Schumacher was in 10th place when the safety car came out on lap 19 and spun into the gravel four laps later to continue his Shanghai jinx after finishing out of the points last year. Dutchman Albers slammed into Schumacher's Ferrari from behind as the German drifted across him on their way to the grid.

New world champion Fernando Alonso led from start to finish to seal the constructors' title for Renault ahead of rivals McLaren-Mercedes.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen was second with Ralf Schumacher in a Toyota third. Juan Pablo Montoya in the second McLaren was forced to retire when his car was damaged when he drove over a loose drain cover.

- REUTERS