US GRAND PRIX RESULT 1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 2 F Massa (Ferrari) 3 G Fisichella (Renault) 4 J Trulli (Toyota) 5 F Alonso (Renault) 6 R Barrichello (Honda) 7 D Coulthard (Red Bull) 8 V Liuzzi (Toro Rosso)

Schumacher cut Alonso's lead in the championship to 19 points as the Renault driver struggled to fifth.

"My championship position is still very strong," insisted the 25-year-old. "That's a big reason to stay positive.

"Ferrari and Bridgestone were quicker than us, but in 10 races we've had the better tyres for nine of them, so I am not worried for the next Grands Prix."

Report: Schumacher wins US Grand Prix

Sunday's race saw Schumacher end Alonso's run of four straight wins with victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I did the maximum possible, and made sure I scored points for the championship Fernando Alonso

Seven-time world champion Schumacher led home team-mate Felipe Massa for a Ferrari one-two which broke a run of four consecutive wins for Alonso.

Giancarlo Fisichella provide some respite for Renault by claiming third.

"To be on the podium at such a hard track for us is a strong result, and I think things will get back to normal again in Magny-Cours," said Fisichella.

But Alonso said he was still satisfied with his performance on a difficult weekend for Renault and tyre manufacturer Michelin.

"I was not competitive all weekend and the car was lacking grip all the way through the race, as well as completing race two of a very hard cycle for the engine," added the Spaniard, who won the Canadian Grand Prix last week.

"So I did the maximum possible, and made sure I scored points for the championship.

"Looking back to last year, I scored zero points in North America; this year, I have scored 14."

Renault engineering boss Pat Symonds said: "Fernando struggled with the car this weekend, but we did as much as we could to limit the damage in terms of the championship.

"Track temperatures were in the 50Cs, and on a circuit that demands so much from the tyres, Michelin responded in a conscientious manner."