Ralf Schumacher ended a 24-race victory drought to triumph in the European Grand Prix in Germany as big brother Michael suffered in a clash with Juan Pablo Montoya.

The 27-year-old cruised home by almost 17 seconds to score the fifth victory of his career - and first since Malaysia in March 2002 - and spearheaded a one-two with Williams-BMW team-mate Montoya at the Nurburgring.

The result could yet be changed, with the stewards investigating the incident on lap 43 of the 60 lap race at the Nurburgring between Michael Schumacher and Montoya.

Colombian Montoya had looked to dart down the inside of Schumacher as they approached the long right-handed Dunlop Curve, but as the five-time champion covered the move he went down the outside.

The two cars touched as they turned into the corner and Schumacher was sent spinning sideways before stopping on the edge of the circuit.

The local hero was stranded for several seconds before being given a push by a marshals but had dropped to sixth.

He finished fifth but still increased his lead in the drivers' championship to seven points over Kimi Raikkonen after his McLaren-Mercedes rival's victory hopes blew up while leading.

David Coulthard completed a nightmare afternoon in Mercedes' home race as he bounced into the gravel trap after trying to overtake Alonso for fourth place at the chicane with just three laps left.

Brazil's Rubens Barrichello finished third for Ferrari while Renault's Fernando Alonso was fourth while Jaguar's Mark Webber was sixth, Jenson Button was seventh for BAR and Nick Heidfeld eighth in a Sauber.

Jordan's Ralph Firman was 11th while countryman and fellow rookie Justin Wilson was 15th for Minardi.

Ralf Schumacher drove one of the best races of his career to take the victory after Raikkonen's challenge had ended when his engine sent up plumes of smoke on lap 26 as he looked set for a victory.

The Austria-based driver comfortably kept his brother at bay until after the final round of pit stops when Michael came off the worst in his battle with Montoya.

The five-time world champion put Alonso under pressure at the final corner but the young Spaniard kept his cool to deny the Ferrari driver fourth place.