1 - CampusRox.com - {Formula 1}

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher has become the most successful Formula One driver of all time after a dramatic Japanese Grand Prix.The German Champ finished eighth to grab the point he needed to make certain of the title, while his team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, helped Ferrari to the constructors' championship by winning the race from pole.

Schumacher surpasses the record of five titles he shared with Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio, a feat he achieved last year.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, who was Schumacher's nearest challenger, finished second to Barrichello. But even if he had won the race, the Finn's efforts would have been in vain with his rival finishing in the points.

The Suzuka showpiece began with Schumi starting 14th on the grid and Raikkonen in 8th as a result of a rain-affected qualifying session on Saturday. Arguably the most important part of the race, the start, went without hitch for the two title challengers, with both drivers jumping two places, although for the Finn, his sixth position brought him ever closer to a sniff of glory.

The McLaren driver's hopes were given a boost when first Schumacher had to come into the pits to replace his front wing after a collision with Sato in the BAR. His day then got better when Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya, who was lying in second, retired after his hydraulics failed and then Alonso, who took the Colombian's place, had his race ended by an engine blow-out.

Montoya's woes effectively ended Williams' chase for the constructors' championship, with the British team beginning the day four points behind Ferrari.

The fact team-mate Ralf Schumacher span twice then saw his nose-wing damaged as a result of a collision with brother Michael on lap 41, did not ease the disappointment. Schumi lived dangerously through the race with the two close shaves he had with Sato and Ralf, which were uncalled for. He also faced a probable Drive through penalty by swirling sharply to the right to cut off lil brother Ralf later in the race while attempting to take over Da Matta.

After the early retirements, all that was left for Raikkonen to do was pass Barrichello and hope Schumi for some reason would not make it to the top 8. But Ruebens, who told the world's media he would claim victory for Michael after winning pole on Saturday, held firm as a carefully calculated Ferrari race-stop strategy reaped the rewards they deserved. Since Ruebens is so often been unlucky to miss out winning on many previous occasions, the race for the championship was never over till he actually passed the chequered flag.

This season, I feel and as most of you would agree, has been the most entertaining one in a very long time. Driver skills, team strategies, erratic weather conditions and the likes have dominated the season to make sure that Suzuka be the penultimate decider for both, the Driver and Constructors Championship. But, the favorite race of the season for me has been the Indianapolis Grand Prix. Its always good to watch Schumi win on a day when he starts out at the back and inches his way past the drivers with rain and tough conditions acting as obstacles to bring out the best in him. There is no fun watching the best driver in the world start the race at pole with undoubtedly the best car and just spin around the circuit.

Montoya and Kimmi have been really good this season and they are the ones to watch out for in 2004. David and Ralf have had a slack season with many ups and downs. The other two teams who have really made a mark have been Renault and Toyota. 2004 promises to be yet another roller coaster ride. Come March 7th, buckle up your seat belts, cause from then on the F1 2004 season kicks off at Albert Park, Australia. With 2 new tracks being added to the F1 Calendar at Bahrain and China, 2004 sure is something every F1 fan will watch out for.

With Jacques Villeneuve's exit from BAR Honda, Sato and Button seem to be all set to see BAR's fortunes change. And about the supposedly ridiculously over paid and flamboyant Jacques Villeneuve, there is no news of any Teams offering him a place yet. Well, Jacques has been an entertaining driver all through, but his bad luck at BAR has over shadowed the former World champion's career in the recent past and I hope he gets back on circuit the next year. There are rumours floating around that he might join Ferrari as Schumi might retire - whatta joke!

I have enjoyed writing these race reports, and with Schumi winning, what more can I ask for! [=0)

Have a great year ahead (of what ever is remaining of it!) and be back here for more F1 news in March '04. Till then, rock on!

Michael Schumacher towers over his era in Formula One like an omnipotent colossus, daring his rivals to challenge him and tossing them aside when they try. Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen tried very hard indeed in 2003 - but Schumacher still came out on top, winning arguably the greatest of his unprecedented six titles.

That all-time record underlines just how much Schumacher is finally reaping the reward of his move to Ferrari. It was a move rooted in hubris - he wanted to become a legend by becoming known as the man who returned greatness to the sport's most legendary team.

He paid the price for a few years as Ferrari struggled to beat Williams and then McLaren - but since 2000 the German and his team have indeed carved out the "Ferrari era" of which Schumacher talks so often. His quest for a fourth consecutive drivers' title - another record - proved harder than even he probably imagined it would.

But he was always a narrow favourite to secure a triumph that leaves him standing alone in statistical terms as the most successful driver of all time. Whether he is the greatest of all in absolute terms is less certain.

F1 in general has been the poorer for the lack of a credible challenger for Schumacher to test himself against - although Raikkonen, Montoya and Fernando Alonso at least look capable of stepping into Mika Hakkinen's shoes as that man.

And the German's tactics when he does face opposition are questionable at best - some would say they are abhorrent. But those are about the only aspect of his driving open to criticism.

Peerless in wet or dry, in qualifying or race, in pure driving terms and in motivating a team, Schumacher is without doubt the greatest driver of his generation.

S. Santosh

Germany's Michael Schumacher begins his Grand Prix career for the newly-formed Jordan team in 1991.

His performances cause a stir on the F1 circuit and it's not long before Benetton snatch the young star from under Eddie Jordan's nose.

Schumacher comes into his own in the 1994 season, which is tinged with tragedy and controversy after Ayrton Senna's death.

Schumacher is in brilliant form during the 1994 season and narrowly wins his first ever Formula One drivers' championship.

In 1995 Schumacher delights the Benetton team as he retains his title finishing ahead of Britain's Damon Hill in the Williams.

Schumacher is unable to resist the lure of Ferrari and signs for the F1 giants in 1996, but his first season is blighted by reliability problems.

Canada's Jacques Villeneuve provides stiff competition for Schumacher, who again mounts a title challenge as Ferrari up their efforts in 1997.

The FIA strip Schumacher of his second place after a controversial clash with Villeneuve at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Schumacher's attempt to win the 1999 title is brought to an end when he breaks his leg in a crash at the British Grand Prix.

After a couple of lean years Ferrari produce a superb car and Schumacher helps them land the 2000 and 2001 constructors and drivers championships.

Ferrari make it a hat-trick in 2002 but their team orders cause controversy as Schumacher strolls to a fifth world title.

Despite rule changes introduced in 2003, Schumacher wins another six Grand Prix and claims a record sixth world title.