Motor Sport: Michael Schumacher overcame both racing and personal crises to put his season back on track with his first victory of the season on Ferrari home soil yesterday, the world champion scoring maximum points at the San Marino Grand Prix despite the overnight death of his mother, Elizabeth, in Germany.

The champion and his Williams-driving brother Ralf, opted to race despite being informed during the night that their mother had died in a Cologne hospital following complications from operation performed following a fall at her home 10 days ago. The pair had flown to Cologne immediately after they had locked out the front row of the grid on Saturday afternoon, but returned to Imola late on Saturday night.

Both started the race and it was Ralf who initially held the upper hand, beating his world champion brother to the lead into the first chicane. But after three troubled races, from which the Ferrari driver failed to claim a single podium finish, the elder Schumacher was not going to be dismissed.

He retook the lead from his sibling in the first round of pit stops and set about opening a gap that would remain largely unchallenged for the remainder of the race.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, opting for a two-stop strategy as the bulk of the field, including Schumacher, opted for three, looked to mount a challenge but after claiming second he still lay almost 20 seconds adrift of Schumacher, and with just 13 laps remaining, had neither the time nor the pace to challenge the champion.

Afterwards, Ferrari managing director Jean Todt paid tribute to Schumacher. "Today in Imola Michael proved yet again, even to those who don't want to accept it, that he is a special man. Despite being in mourning he wanted to take part in the race for the sake of the team and went on to win it.

"I think it is important today that Michael has shown what he is as a driver and as a man. I think he has done a great demonstration and we are very proud of him."

Schumacher was followed to the chequered flag by Raikkonen, with the champion's team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, taking the final podium place. Ralf Schumacher finished fourth, with David Coulthard fifth. Fernando Alonso scored points for Renault for the fourth race in succession with sixth and the remaining points positions were filled by Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button.

Race report: page 10