| Japanese Grand Prix News: |
| Fleet Streets gives its views on Michael Schumaher's victory in Sunday's Japanese GP...
'Michael Schumacher's recent absence from top spot on the formula one rostrum may have lulled some of his opposition into believing the Ferrari driver was just a little too comfortable with life after clinching his all-time record seventh world championship with second place in the Belgian grand prix six weeks ago. Yesterday he shook them out of such naive complacency, surging from pole position to an unchallenged victory by 14sec from his brother's Williams.' - The Guardian 'Like the death of Mark Twain, the demise of the Japanese Grand Prix proved greatly exaggerated. Typhoon Ma-On, due to lay waste to Suzuka mid-afternoon on Saturday, re-routed east to Tokyo, leaving the circuit untouched. It was not a good weekend for the weathermen of Honshu. Even the threat of rain on race day proved empty. With the force of nature making its presence felt elsewhere it was left to Hurricane Michael to wreak havoc on the track. Under flawless skies, Schumacher awoke from recent slumbers to remind his rivals of his potency. Win No 13 of a one-dimensional season was as emphatic as any. After claiming pole on the morning of the race, a first for the sport, the world champion powered into an unassailable lead, lapping a second quicker than the field |
| More Japanese Grand Prix News: |
| 'TYPHOON MICHAEL ravaged Suzuka yesterday as the world champion stormed to one of the easiest victories of his career.
Twenty four hours after Super Typhoon Ma-On threatened chaos but proved a damp squib, German speed king Michael Schumacher stepped up and wrought havoc instead. He scorched away from the start so quickly it only ever looked like there was going to be one winner. He was so far ahead after just 13 laps he had time to pit, refuel and return to the track still in the lead. After his longest period away from the top spot, Schumacher was unstoppable as he bounced back from the worst finish of his career in China two weeks ago. And he made history by taking pole and victory, the 83rd of his career, on the same day. After two victories by team-mate Rubens Barrichello, normal service was resumed and the monotony of Schumacher domination returned with a vengeance.' - The Mirror 'But it was Button and BAR partner Takuma Sato who made the biggest contribution for their team. Buttons 10th podium finish - in the teams 100th race - and local hero Satos fourth spot handed BAR the prized runners-up slot in the Constructors Championship. The only way BAR can be knocked from their lofty perch is if Renault score a 1-2 in the season finale in Brazil in two weeks time and they fail to land a single point. Many had believed the Honda-owned circuit would present 24-year-old Button with his finest chance of savouring his maiden win but Schumachers speed - coupled with his Bridgestone tyres - was a combination no one could match on the day.' |