Hamilton, meanwhile, was delayed by a 20-second pit stop caused by a troublesome wheel nut.

CNN: Formula One dominated by uncertainty

Alonso survived 13 laps before he came back to the pits to revert to slicks but a problem with a loose wheel nut saw him trapped in the pits for 18 seconds leaving him short on time to close down Schumacher.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | No excuses for mistakes - Renault