Schumacher Delighted after 'Expected' Win

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher said he was expecting to be very strong at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix after he powered to an easy victory at Suzuka.

It was the 13th win of the season for the World Champion, who broke the record for most number of points with 146. The previous record was also his, having scored 144 in the 2002 season.

The race took place in bright sunshine after a typhoon and torrential rains forced Saturday's qualifying to be postponed until the morning of the race for the first time in Formula One history.

Schumacher took it all in his stride, securing pole position before running away with his 83rd career win and sixth at Suzuka. The German, who had already clinched an unprecedented seventh world title in August, finished 14 seconds ahead of younger brother Ralf's Williams after slowing down at the end.

"We obviously pre-decided the race at qualifying," Schumacher said. "We had to be flat-out until the pitstops but we have dominated all year and I didn't expect anything different here. It was pretty clear to us that we would have a very strong race pace, but qualifying was the doubt because it was damp conditions and we could have problems there.

"As we got pole position I was pretty confident that I could do it. I had Ralf in my mirrors for quite a while and it wasn't increasing as much as I was expecting because they seemed to find a good race pace too.

"But luckily he pitted earlier and then it was clear how the race would go."

It was not only the seven-time champion's 13th win of the season, but also the 83rd of his career and his sixth at Suzuka on a busy day of track action. But Schumacher said he is not for having qualifying and the race on the same day in the future.

"I think that it goes down to history of Formula One this day," he added. "Some people will think whether we should continue to do it this way. I have to say it was exciting but I prefer the old style."