Analysis: Schumacher Earns a Rest from Records

One more win is all Michael Schumacher needs to go down in history as the first Formula One driver to triumph 10 times in a single season.

But before that happens, possibly at his next appearance in Hungary on August 18, Ferrari's newly crowned five times World Champion will put all thought of records on hold to focus on his family.

Formula One's brief summer break started after Sunday's German Grand Prix, with the Hockenheim paddock emptying at record speed as the drivers and team bosses made quick getaways for vacation destinations. They will meet up again in Budapest where Schumacher will be aiming for his fourth win in a row and Ferrari's 11th in 13 races.

"I think we have good reasons to celebrate," the German said after racing untroubled to his first German Formula One Grand Prix victory for Ferrari on Sunday.

In the last two weeks he has equalled Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five titles and his own and Nigel Mansell's record of nine wins in a single season, as well as extending his run of points scoring finishes to 17 races.

He already has more wins, more points and more podium finishes than any other driver in Grand Prix history and has not stopped yet.

Batteries Recharged

There was no sign on Sunday that the German has any intention of lifting his foot off the accelerator now that he has made history.

"I really look forward to having that time for my family, to take some time off and then just relax and recharge my batteries for the last part of the season," said Schumacher, who has 106 points from a maximum 120.

"We still have to win the Constructors' Championship although we are in a very comfortable position. But still we have to do this. Whatever the points position, racing is still a big enjoyment and I look forward to this, to have some more battles and fights."

Ferrari have 141 points to Williams' 76 and McLaren's 49. Schumacher could take his winning race tally into the teens, particularly with his favourite Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium coming up and Ferrari's home race at Monza before Indianapolis and Japan.

"We have a very good car for all circumstances. You're going to see that at Monza maybe," he said when asked on Sunday if he could have won at the old Hockenheim as well as the shorter new circuit.

Ferrari want to help Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher's teammate, finish second overall this season but he will still have to fight his teammate. He will also have to hope, after another problematic weekend, that his luck turns.

It was McLaren who took the fight to Ferrari in France and at Hockenheim it was Williams's turn to get closest to Schumacher at the revised Ring with its long straights chopped out. But Williams are not expecting to get much closer to Schumacher in comparatively slow-speed Hungary.

"Our main focus is obviously on next year," said the team's technical director Patrick Head. "I think the Ferrari is a better car so its difficult, unless Michael has a problem or Bridgestone suddenly turn up with a bad tyre, to say we'll beat them in Budapest."