BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Champion salutes Ferrari

Michael Schumacher has paid tribute to his Ferrari team after he established another new record by finishing on the podium at every Formula One race this season.

The world champion completed the unprecedented achievement with a victory in the Japanese Grand Prix - his 11th this season, another record.

Race report

The result means Schumacher has finished either first or second at every race this year bar one - in Malaysia, where he was third.

The German said this had been an "incredible" achievement by Ferrari.

Michael Schumacher at the wheel of the Ferrari F2002 in Japan
The F2002 is one of the great cars in F1 history

He added: "The results speak for themselves and it is fantastic. What is outstanding is that we haven't retired once - and have finished all the races on the podium.

"This shows the quality of the team and mechanics we have. It's unbelievable."

Schumacher and Ferrari have smashed a host of F1 records in winning the title this season.

Schumacher has won 11 races in a season
He has won five titles - equalling the record held by the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio
He has won three titles in a row, also equalling Fangio
He won the title earlier than had ever been done before
He scored more points than ever before in a season
He extended his record for career F1 wins to 64 - 13 clear of Frenchman Alain Prost in second place
Ferrari have set a new record for points scored in a season
Ferrari have won the constructors' title four years in a row

Schumacher said he was now focusing on winning a record sixth championship in 2003, for which he is already a hot favourite.

"Now we have a nice wintertime to relax and come back strong for next year."


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