Schumacher Joins Elite Club of Triple Champions

Michael Schumacher was hailed as one of Formula One's true greats by his ecstatic Ferrari team on Sunday as he joined the elite club of triple champions.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, who was with the German at Benetton when he won his two previous world titles in 1994 and 1995, said Schumacher was "for me, the best, the absolute best ever".

Brawn said Schumacher's talents in wet conditions and when under pressure were his greatest qualities.

"He proved today that he compares with anyone," he said as Ferrari celebrated their first drivers' title in 21 years, since South African Jody Scheckter last triumphed in 1979, after Schumacher won the Japanese Grand Prix.

"He has got speed and motivation and he is a great member of this team. I see no reason now why he cannot go on and be an ever better driver," said Brawn.

Schumacher had finally delivered what he had set out to do five years ago when he left Benetton as a world champion and moved to the underperforming Ferrari team.

He was Formula One's highest paid driver but the number one target, the drivers' title, had proved elusive until Sunday when the 31-year-old delivered his 43rd victory in the 144th race of his career.

He did it with a performance that mixed utter determination with his usual excellent car control in difficult and damp conditions.

Mika Hakkinen, chasing a third successive world title with McLaren, led for much of the race before Brawn's astute strategy and his crew's rapid pit stops turned potential disappointment into triumph in Suzuka.

Fantastic Feeling

"It is a fantastic feeling," said Schumacher, whose title victory was welcomed as a great result for Formula One as much as for the team and driver.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who admitted last month that he was pro-Ferrari and described the team as "magic", will doubtless be delighted.

"For a long time, I never felt this was going to happen for me. It is a very emotional feeling," said Schumacher.

"When I came around the last corner, I began to feel it very much. It is just something really great. It is the best win of my life."

The German, who has an insurmountable 12 point lead in the standings with one race remaining, later described it as the best day of his motor racing career.

Rivals and colleagues were quick to congratulate him.

Briton Eddie Irvine, who was with the German at Ferrari from 1996 to 1999 before moving to Jaguar, said: "Well done to Michael and Ferrari, Italy will be the place to be tonight."

Jaguar technical director Gary Anderson added: "Congratulations to Michael. It's good for Formula One and good for Ferrari. They've worked hard and spent a lot of pennies."

Schumacher's younger brother Ralf, who retired after a strong drive in his Williams, said: "I can barely say how happy I feel for my brother.

"This year, for sure, the best driver in the best car and the best team has won."

His Williams team-mate Briton Jenson Button said: "I think that it is fantastic that Michael Schumacher is world champion because he deserves it and he has for many years. I am sure he will be celebrating tonight, so I will try to be there."

Triple Club

Schumacher's third title lifted him into a 'club' occupied by such other triple-champions as Australian Jack Brabham, Briton Jackie Stewart, Austrian Niki Lauda and Brazilians Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.

Two other landmarks beckon -- the four titles of Frenchman Alain Prost and five of Juan-Manuel Fangio of Argentina.

But on Sunday, after his eighth win of the year, he was more concerned with the great sensation of relief after lifting Ferrari out of their 21 years of frustrated waiting.

"No," he said. "I never really thought it was not going to happen again. But, each year it didn't happen, it got longer and longer and somehow you got more upset when it didn't work out even though we had the opportunity.

"For me, there was such an outbreak of emotion, initially, when I crossed the line. The conditions were so difficult today and the season had its ups and downs.

"It was great for me to finish with a win after a fight to the last corner, thanks to Mika.

"We have been working for this for five years, and three times we got close. For me. to finally achieve victory is simply outstanding and because it is with Ferrari it means so much more to me than my other titles.

"Finally, doing it is simply great. Imagine what's going on in Italy right now....It must be fantastic, amazing."