Preview: Schumacher Set to Wrap Up Title in Belgium

Michael Schumacher returns to one of his favourite circuits this weekend with the intention of wrapping up a seventh world title in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.

The Belgian race is back on the Formula One calendar after a year's absence and victory for Germany's Schumacher would ensure the Drivers' Championship is concluded at Spa.

The Ferrari driver has won 12 of the 13 Grands Prix this season and a 13th triumph at the circuit where he made his Formula One debut in 1991 would put his rivals out of their misery.

Schumacher admitted facing a dilemma after his latest win in Hungary of whether to wrap up the title in Belgium or wait two weeks until Ferrari's home Italian Grand Prix at Monza. But the six-time World Champion wants things completed in Belgium with a seventh win at the high-speed Spa circuit.

"I know that the title will be one of the topics of conversation this weekend," said Schumacher, who claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory at Spa in 1992. "But I won't be approaching this race any differently than the others.

"The important thing is to race well and whatever happens, happens. It's great being in a position to win the title at this stage but this is the fruit of an unexpected and superb season."

A Schumacher win would end the Championship race because even if his teammate Rubens Barrichello finishes second he would be 40 points behind with 40 remaining. Schumacher would lift a fifth successive title.

Ferrari have already won a sixth consecutive Constructors' Championship after a one-two finish at the last race in Hungary but Brazilian Barrichello has vowed to give it his all to drag the drivers' title race on to Italy.

"I think we just keep on trying," Barrichello said.

Schumacher, conscious of the threat posed by his teammate, added: "Rubens still has a mathematical chance of winning and I take his challenge seriously."

Aside from the Ferrari and Schumacher show, BAR-Honda's Briton Jenson Button is determined to strengthen his grip on third place in the drivers' standings.

Button is likely to learn his future for 2005 after the race when the International Automobile Association's (FIA) Contract Recognition Board decide if BAR have a firm contract for next year or whether Williams have the right to sign him.

For now the 24-year-old is focused on his goal of picking up vital points at Spa as he aims to hang on to third place and in the process help BAR challenge for second in the Constructors' Championship where they trail Renault by eight points.

"Although Ferrari have won the constructors', the competition is still strong for the remaining places in the championship," Button said. "I'm looking forward to the race and to hopefully gaining some more all-important points for the team."

Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed the final place on the podium in Hungary behind Schumacher and Barrichello but his teammate Jarno Trulli retired from the race.

Trulli is in the midst of a slump in form having been told he will lose his seat to fellow Italian Giancarlo Fisichella next season but is determined to get his campaign back on track.

Williams, fourth in the Constructors' Championship, have Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia replacing the injured Ralf Schumacher for the third consecutive race as they chase much-needed points.

McLaren, one place further back, head to Spa determined to put the ghosts of Hungary behind them after Kimi Raikkonen retired and David Coulthard ended outside the points in ninth.