Schumacher 'Empty and Exhausted' after Record Title

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher said he was empty, exhausted but proud after taking his place in Formula One history with a record sixth title on Sunday.

The German, who finished eighth in the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix to secure the one point he needed to ensure he took the title, said the race was one of the toughest of his career after starting 14th and struggling to get in the points.

"It has been a tough year, a tough late stage to the season and a very tough race," he said after celebrating the title without a podium appearance. "Probably one of my toughest.

"I was a little bit messy today after having a little incident, having to come back and go through the traffic with all that happened. The feeling hasn't sunk in yet. I am empty and exhausted and just proud of what I have achieved."

Ferrari also claimed their fifth Constructors' Championship in a row.

"I could rely on Rubens in the late stages but I still had to fight as you never know whether a car will finish," said Schumacher. "It is very strange for me because most of my Championships have been with a victory and here I am in eighth position."

Schumacher said Ferrari were like a family to him and praised their fantastic efforts, particularly after much of the Italian media had written them off as a team in crisis after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"What we saw in Hockenheim and Budapest, how many people wrote us off and here we are," said Schumacher. "We're back. This is just a huge family that we are all proud of being a part of."