Schumi waves white flag

8220;It8217;s obvious that we have to get faster. Our main problem is the tyres,8221; he added. Schumacher was holding third place until late in the race but he felt like a sitting duck with his deteriorating Bridgestone tyres.

McLaren8217;s Juan Pablo Montoya and then BAR8217;s Jenson Button 8212; both with Michelin tyres 8212; passed him.

8220;It was like trying to fight with a blunted weapon,8221; said Schumacher. 8220;You can see the challenges coming, but if your weapons are weak you don8217;t have a chance.8221;

The seven-times world champion qualified fifth and fought hard to stay in front of Button before finally getting caught on lap 45.

8220;I had no grip left on the tyres,8221; Schumacher said.

Schumacher was later passed by Renault8217;s Giancarlo Fisichella with just over a lap remaining.

8220;I had a problem with the fuel transfer and the engines puttered,8221; he said. Schumacher has won just one race this year, the six-car fiasco at Indianapolis that none of the Michelin teams started after concern about the safety of their tyres. Reuters