Schumacher Thankful Championship is Decided

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher said he is thankful the two World Championships are already in the bag after a slippery and frustrating day of practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Schumacher wrapped up a seventh drivers' world title in the Belgian Grand Prix in August, one race after Ferrari had capped off another dominant season by securing a sixth successive constructors' crown.

Despite topping the times in two rain-hit practice sessions at Suzuka, which is preparing to be hit by a typhoon on Saturday, Schumacher said he is grateful he does not have any title pressure on his shoulders.

"From our point of view we are lucky the Championship is already decided because imagine you have the Championship still in place and you have to fight and you have to think about the conditions - that would be very tense," he said.

"As it is now, it's fairly relaxing. I can take it as it comes. You cope with circumstances and drive according to your abilities," added the German, who finished ahead of Sauber's Giancarlo Fisichella in the times.

Schumacher was one of a number of drivers caught out by the conditions when he aquaplaned off the circuit and he admitted the wet weather virtually made it impossible to drive.

"Near the end of the session it was too much rain and too much aquaplaning, we saw all the cars spinning off - it was impossible to drive in these circumstances," he said.

"Initially how we started it was tricky - just on the limit. It was quite difficult and I went off after aquaplaning so it's tricky out there but that's the way it is. If you have to follow other cars you see nothing."