Ferrari chief Jean Todt described Sunday's German Grand Prix as the most disappointing race of the season for the Italian team.

World champion Michael Schumacher slumped from second to seventh after a puncture three laps from the end, while Brazilian Rubens Barrichello did not make it past the first corner after being caught up in an accident.

"At least Michael managed to salvage two useful points," Todt said. "There are four grands prix remaining and Michael leads the drivers' championship by six points, and Ferrari are ahead by two in the constructors' classification.

"But this was the most difficult and disappointing race of the season because Michael was on his way to bringing home a very good result in terms of the championship."

The five-times world champion lost out on a potential six points when he dropped to seventh and the result was Ferrari's worst points haul since the Brazilian Grand Prix in March, when both drivers retired.

Schumacher then won four of the next five races to take the initiative in the title race, but is now under increasing pressure from Montoya, who won on Sunday in the increasingly impressive Williams.

Unsurprisingly, Schumacher remains up for the fight in his bid to land a record sixth world title for himself and a fifth consecutive constructors' crown for his team.

"Obviously I am disappointed to finish only seventh after a tough race which could have brought me eight points," Schumacher said. "But at least I am still leading the championship.

"There are now four races to go. It's going to be very close and the battle for the title will be very exciting, just as we had expected. I am looking forward to the fight."

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