Happy Schumacher Stays Cautious

Michael Schumacher said he was taking nothing for granted after storming to his second straight victory of the new Formula One season on Sunday.

The six-times World Champion increased the pressure on Ferrari's rivals after winning his third Malaysian Grand Prix but said it would be dangerous to write off the opposition yet.

"No doubt, it's only two out of 18 races - 16 to go," shrugged Schumacher, who comfortably won the season-opening race in Melbourne earlier this month. "I have 20 points in my pocket, which is more than last year. But relaxed would certainly be the wrong word. It was pressure all the way."

Schumacher, chasing an unprecedented seventh world title, held off Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams to win his 72nd Grand Prix after a pre-race shower made the Sepang circuit slippery.

"It was still hot enough to make it a hard race. But it's true that in the moments we needed to be quick we were just quick enough," shrugged the German, who drove a superb tactical race after staring from pole.

"At the beginning, it was very slippery and unpredictable where the water was and being first I had no reference, so I had to be cautious. Each time after the pitstops and before the pitstops it sort of opened up and closed down quite rapidly, so it was really a tough fight and I was glad to get home in the end."

Schumacher, who has been World Champion since 2000, has a perfect 20 points heading into the third race of the season in Bahrain on April 4. Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello is second with 13 points and Montoya has 12.

"I think it's easier to lead the championship from the position we are in than to come from where we had to come from last year," said the 35-year-old, who dedicated his victory to his son Mick, who turns five on Monday.

"Right now, for sure, it's an incredibly great feeling to be top again. It would be an ideal situation for me to be in front all the time but we don't live in dreams."