Schumacher puts championship down to Brawn

It has often been Brawn's quick tactical thinking that has conjured victories from nothing and it was the same again in Suzuka. In the falling rain Brawn spotted the chance for Schumacher to get past Hakkinen in the second round of pit stops by keeping him on old rubber with more grip.

As Hakkinen slithered back into the race on fresh rubber, the difference in their tyres was enough to hand a hard-charging Schumacher enough of an advantage to take the lead and the world title.

"He is simply the master of our team," said Schumacher. "He is the one who made us champion. It is unfair to everyone else to put him up front. But in the final moment he is the person who makes the right decision."

Brawn returned the compliment, praising Schumacher, and said the triumph meant he had achieved a personal ambition.

"We've had four really tough years at Ferrari and today's hard-fought victory is a dream come true," said Brawn. "When I came to Ferrari this was my ambition and to achieve this championship title is the end of that ambition.

"The critical point in the race was McLaren's second pit-stop and it was that which allowed us to get past Mika and into the lead. The conditions were tricky at the time and we were fortunate that Mika was struggling with the rain as it increased.

"Michael did his usual brilliant job and managed to stay in touch with Mika through the middle stint. He then made every second count."

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For full race results, click here.

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