Schumi apologises to Alonso

MONACO: Germany's seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has apologised to Fernando Alonso for wrecking his fast qualifying lap for the weekend's controversial Monaco Grand Prix.

Schumacher was accused of deliberately parking his car on the circuit to ruin the defending drivers' world champion's best lap.

The move denied Renault driver Alonso the chance to better Schumacher's time and the FIA, motor racing's governing body, ruled the manouevre was intentional and relegated the German to the back of the grid.

"I can only apologise to Fernando," said Schumacher, who finished fifth after starting 22nd.

 "He had just honestly put the ideal lap together in this moment, but at no moment was it my intention, because I didn't even know where Fernando was, at that moment - because, here, with the strategy you can stagger things"

"He could have been out in front of me. He could have finished his lap. I didn't know. I didn't really care because I do my own job at this moment and I'm highly concentrated. So, absolutely, at no moment was that the intention. As I said, if you know what we know, then you would understand."