Schumacher Takes Big Step Towards Fourth Title

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and McLaren rival David Coulthard agreed after the German's 50th career win that the Formula One title chase was far from over. But the triple World Champion was simply refusing to let over-confidence get the better of him, while the Scot, even allowing for how unpredictable motor sport can be, might be accused of wishful thinking.

Schumacher's fourth title looks to be a mere matter of time after Sunday's French Grand Prix saw the German stretch his lead to 31 points with seven races remaining and Coulthard lose ground in fourth place. The result meant that even if he scores no further points over the summer, Schumacher will still be leading the Championship going into his favourite race at Spa in September since there are only three Grands Prix before Belgium.

Mathematically, he does not even have to win another race to secure the title even if Coulthard wins them all. Schumacher just has to finish second every time. But winning is second nature to him, he makes few mistakes and Ferrari's reliability is now awesome. Only the second driver ever to score 50 victories, Schumacher is now just one away from Alain Prost's record of 51.

The signs are that there will be no cliffhanger finale in Japan this year, with the German set to secure his fourth world title with room to spare and possibly even in front of the massed ranks of Ferrari fans at Monza. Schumacher has won six of the 10 races this season. He has finished second in three of the others with just one mechanical failure since July last year. He has also won 10 of the last 14 races and been on pole in 11 out of 14.

Big Step

But Schumacher opted for caution after his win among the cornfields of rural France, despite admitting his win was a "big step forward" for the Championship. "Unfortunately for you guys I am a bit too realistic," he said at a news conference when asked if he could start to think about a fourth world title.

"We have seen last year being thrown out by two races behind each other, how quickly things can turn around again. Although, you have to be honest, it's a very comfortable lead that we are in now," he added. "But there are still seven races to go, 70 points to give away so there's no reason to start celebrating before it's done."

He is right that July has not always been a good month. Last season, it was the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours that marked the start of a nightmare run for Schumacher of three races in a row without a point - going out on the first lap in both Austria and Germany.

In 1999, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July marked the end of his Championship hopes after he crashed and broke a leg. McLaren remained in fighting mood after a bleak day for them, with Mika Hakkinen failing to start due to a mechanical problem and Coulthard suffering a 10-second stop-go penalty for speeding in the pitlane.

"We are a team and we all make mistakes," said boss Ron Dennis, whose team have had more than their share of breakdowns this year. "The championships are not over and we will immediately start to focus on our home Grand Prix at Silverstone."

Coulthard was also doing his best to come out fighting.

"Naturally I need to start winning races and I need to start doing that soon. I need to keep doing the best I can and we will see where things lie after that," he said. "It hasn't been won or lost in Magny Cours. It takes me three wins and Michael not finishing. Yes it is still possible but of course being realistic it is going to be difficult," added the McLaren driver.

It could also be difficult to keep Michael's brother Ralf out of second place in the Championship. The Williams driver was second on Sunday, after two wins this season, and is now just 16 points behind Coulthard in third place.

"I think it's possible but second or third doesn't really change a lot does it," said the 26-year-old. "I want us to win and obviously he (Michael) is on that for this year. I'll try next year."