Schumacher starts four cars ahead of Alonso on Sunday

Michael Schumacher was left fuming after a time penalty wrecked his chances of claiming pole position for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was docked two seconds in qualifying for overtaking under a red flag during free practice.

"I was angry at the decision," he said. "You can see for yourself what happened from the television,"

"I blame myself partly for what did happen, but I didn't expect this kind of penalty."

The penalty, identical to the punishment meted out to title rival Fernando Alonso of Renault, left Schumacher in 11th place on the grid.

I think 11th place on the grid is as good as I could have hoped for in the circumstances Michael Schumacher

However, if the German had not been penalised, his fastest lap time of one minute and 18.875 seconds would have carried him forward into the final part of qualifying, where he would probably have taken pole position.

Instead pole went to McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari while Alonso will start 15th and face a struggle to reach the leading group.

"I don't want to say much about it," added Schumacher, who trails championship leader Alonso by just 11 points.

"I don't want to give any kind of long explanation about what happened in the morning."

"Everyone can form their own conclusions. I think 11th place on the grid is as good as I could have hoped for in the circumstances.

"At least it means I will start from the clean side of the track. It gives me a chance to make a good start and move up a few places and then we can see."

Ferrari team chief Jean Todt was also pleased with his drivers' efforts.