Schumacher: the Worst Five Laps of My Career

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher had a tough time finding the words to describe his feelings after claiming his fifth Formula One World Championship with a record-breaking French Grand Prix victory on Sunday.

The victory was the German's eighth in 11 races, giving him an unbeatable lead of 62 points with a maximum of 60 remaining to be won. In equalling the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five Championships, and three in a row, Schumacher became the first driver to win the title as early as July and with six rounds in hand.

"I have never been good at finding the right words at these moments," said the 33-year-old, who was close to tears afterwards. "It has overcome me. All weekend I didn't believe I would win it here, so I didn't feel any pressure."

Schumacher also set a record of 16 successive points finishes, beating Argentine Carlos Reutemann's 15. In an error-strewn race, luck played into the German's hands just as it seemed the title chase was destined to be extended by another week.

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen was heading for his first Formula One win when, with five laps to go, his McLaren skidded wide and conceded the lead to Schumacher.

"Suddenly when I was leading and feeling it was for the Championship and it was probably the worst five laps of my career," said Schumacher. "The weight was suddenly on my shoulders not to make any mistakes."

The German knew he would be champion if he won and neither Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello nor Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya finished second. He did that, beating Raikkonen by 1.1 seconds.