Suzuka (Japan): Michael Schumacher claimed a historic sixth world championship on October 12 when his Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello kept title rival Kimi Raikkonen at bay to win the Japanese Grand Prix.

Raikkonen needed a victory to have any hope of stealing Schumacher's crown but cloudy conditions played into the hands of Ferrari and Barrichello ensured the German secured a record-breaking sixth world championship.

It was his fourth successive title for Ferrari and surpassed the record of legendary Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio.

Schumacher did enough to secure the title himself by finishing eighth but Barrichello's win allowed Ferrari to celebrate in style as they landed their fifth consecutive constructors' title.

"It has been a tough year, a tough late stage of the season and a very tough race, one of my toughest ever," said Schumacher who has now passed the mark of five world titles he shared with Argentinian legend Juan Manuel Fangio.

"But the team and Rubens did a fantastic job. The feeling of winning has not sunk in yet. I can feel for the team but not for myself yet. I am exhausted and proud of what we have achieved."

In 2002, Schumacher had wrapped up the title by the halfway stage of the season - but this time around, it was a lot tougher with Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in the Williams pushing him all the way.

"Most of my championships have been secured with a win on the track. Today I did it with eighth place which gives me mixed emotions," he said.

Agencies