SUZUKA, Oct 10: World champion Michael Schumacher on Sunday blew away the opposition to win the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix the day after it was spared by typhoon Ma-on.
Schumacher almost effortlessly restored the F1 pecking order after three races without success from the pole position in his Ferrari, his 13th victory of the season and 83rd overall.
Brother Ralf Schumacher came second in a Williams-BMW and Jenson Button of Britain placed third in a BAR-Honda, 14 and 19 seconds adrift, respectively. Despite victory, Schumacher quickly pointed out that he was not in favour of holding qualifying and race on the same day again in the future.
The unique qualifying schedule change from Saturday to Sunday morning was made as Ma-on seemed heading towards Suzuka (before eventually veering off eastwards) and Schumacher grabbed his 63rd pole less than four hours ahead of the race.
Schumacher in fact made history for himself as well as the victory gave him a record 146 points in the drivers standings, two more than the 144 he scored in 2002. Victory was also sweet as Schumacher went without a win in three races since an August 15 success in Hungary which was his 12th win from then 13 season races.
Two weeks ago he had to accept his worst career finish, 12th place at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The German dominated the Japanese weekend almost at will, placing first in Friday's free practise and earning his 63rd pole earlier Sunday.
Schumacher won the 53-lap race over 307.573 kilometres in Suzuka for the sixth time in his career in 1 hour 24 minutes 26.985 seconds. Ralf Schumacher also silenced the critics with a second-place finish in his penultimate race for Williams before moving on to Toyota next year.
The podium placing came after he was harshly criticised by team boss Frank Williams for refusing to drive on in a pit stop delay in China. "It all worked out for us, it was a good weekend," he said.
Ralf only managed to stay close to his famous brother in the early stages and BAR were also far off the Ferrari pace. But Button and local hero Takuma Sato placed third and fourth to all but assure the Anglo-Japanese team of second place in the constructors standings. Ferrari top that list with 254 points with BAR second on 116 and Renault third on 100 heading into the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Oct 24.
RESULTS: 1. Michael Schumacher, Germany, Ferrari, 1 hour 24 minutes 26.985 seconds (average speed 218.525kph); 2. Ralf Schumacher, Germany, Williams-BMW, 14.0 seconds behind 3. Jenson Button, Britain, BAR-Honda, 19.6; 4. Takuma Sato, Japan, BAR-Honda, 31.7; 5. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Renault, 37.7; 6. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, McLaren-Mercedes, 39.3; 7. Juan Pablo Montoya, Colombia, Williams-BMW, 55.3; 8. Giancarlo Fisichella, Italy, Sauber-Petronas, 56.2; 9. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Sauber-Petronas, 1:29.6; 10. Jacques Villeneuve, Canada, Renault, one lap behind; 11. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota, one lap;12. Christian Klien, Austria, Jaguar-Cosworth, one lap; 13. Nick Heidfeld, Germany, Jordan-Ford, one lap; 14. Olivier Panis, France, Toyota, two laps; 15. Timo Glock, Germany, Jordan-Ford, two laps; 16. Gianmaria Bruni, Italy, Minardi-Cosworth, three laps. -dpa