Schumacher out of Chinese Grand Prix
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-16 15:42

Dethroned world champion Michael Schumacher blew his chance of ending a miserable season on a high when he crashed out of the Chinese Grand Prix -- twice.

The German star was involved in a dramatic collision in the warm up laps ahead of the race which left his Ferrari's front left wheel hanging off.

The German veered to the left as he slowly made his way round the Shanghai International Circuit less than 30 minutes before the race was due to get underway.

Christijan Albers in a Minardi came up on his inside and mounted the Ferrari. Apart from the damage to the front left wheel, Schumacher's left back tyre was punctured and smoke poured from the rear of his car.

Schumacher tried to steer it back to the pits but was forced to stop and climb out.

He began the race from the pit lane and climbed back to 16th when the safety car was deployed on lap 19 with debris on the track at turn 10, which turned out to be a broken drain cover.

As he was following the safety car and travelling at a slow speed, Schumacher inexplicably skidded off at turn 8 and ended in the gravel, drawing a close to a season where he and Ferrari have struggled.

World champion Fernando Alonso was leading the race at the time.

After five years of domination, Schumacher's only victory this year was at the shambolic United States Grand Prix when only a handful of cars started after concerns about the Michelin tyres.