Schumacher Confident of Ferrari Double

Title favourite Michael Schumacher said on Saturday that he was confident of a Ferrari Championship double, despite qualifying in 14th for the decisive Japanese Grand Prix.

The German, who needs only a point on Sunday to clinch a record sixth world title, struggled in the wet but teammate Rubens Barrichello took pole position instead, keeping Ferrari in the driving seat for the Constructors' Championship.

"I am very happy Rubens is on pole, as it is good for him, for the team, for the constructors' championship and even for my situation in the Drivers' (Championship)," said Schumacher, who has won at Suzuka for the last three years.

Schumacher leads Kimi Raikkonen by nine points and can only lose the title if his Finnish rival wins the season-ending race and the German fails to score a point.

"The session could have been much worse for me and I think Kimi was also affected a bit by the rain," said Schumacher, who has 92 points with Raikkonen on 83. "Tomorrow the forecast is for mixed conditions, which could suit us."

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn was also upbeat about the team's chances in Japan.

"We are in a good position for tomorrow as Rubens is on pole and Kimi is not so far ahead of Michael, so I think we have a good chance for both Championships," said Brawn.

Raikkonen, who would become the youngest champion in Formula One history if he pulled off an upset at Suzuka, will line up from eighth on the grid. Ferrari lead the constructors' standings with 147 points, three more than Williams.