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SHANGHAI, Oct 1: Ferrari's Michael Schumacher swept to a sensational victory at a rain-soaked Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday to seize the Formula One championship lead by the slimmest of margins.
The seven-time world champion pulled level with Renault's Fernando Alonso on points, 116-116, but is ahead 7-6 on race victories. With just two races remaining, Schumacher edged closer than ever to a record eighth title.
Starting sixth on the grid, he roared into the lead 15 laps from the finish to take the chequered flag 3.1 seconds clear of his Spanish rival.
Race classification: 1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:37:32.747; 2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault +00:03.121; 3. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Renault 00:44.197; 4. Jenson Button (Britain) Honda 01:12.056; 5. Pedro de la Rosa (Spain) McLaren 01:17.137; 6. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda 01:19.131; 7. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 01:31.979; 8. Mark Webber (Australia) Williams-Cosworth 01:43.588; 9. David Coulthard (Britain) RedBull-Ferrari 01:43.796; 10. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italy) Toro Rosso-Cosworth 1 lap; 11. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams-Cosworth 1 lap; 12. Robert Doornbos (Netherlands) RedBull-Ferrari 1 lap; 13. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1 lap; 14. Takuma Sato (Japan) Super Aguri-Honda 1 lap; 15. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso-Cosworth 1 lap; 16. Christijan Albers (Netherlands) MF1-Toyota 3 laps; 17. Sakon Yamamoto (Japan) Super Aguri-Honda 4 laps.
Fastest Lap: Fernando Alonso, 1:37.586, lap 49.—Reuters
