ROME, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher won the San Marino Grand Prix for his and Ferrari's first victory of the season on Sunday.

Germany's Michael Schumacher getures on the podium after taking his Ferrari to victory in the Formula One Grand Prix of San Marino at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack in Imola, Italy, April 23. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

    It was Schumacher's 85th career success, and seventh at Ferrari's home circuit, but he was harried all the way by Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso.

    In a repeat of last year's nose-to-tail thriller only in reverse order, with that race won by Alonso with Schumacher failing to find a way past, the German held on to win by two seconds.

    Schumacher's last victory was at the six-car U.S. Grand Prix last June, a race that turned into a fiasco when all the Michelin teams pulled out before the start.

    His last real win was the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2004, a season he dominated with 13 victories.

    Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was third for McLaren, ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa for Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen in another McLaren. Enditem