But he got back on the top step of the podium in dominant style by winning in Japan and helping Ferrari equal the record for wins in a season with their 15th triumph of 2004.

Despite the disruption of seeing yesterday’s qualifying postponed to this morning, Schumacher was unperturbed and took a family one-two from brother Ralf, claiming his first podium since July last year.

In claiming his 36th pole-to-win triumph, Schumacher became the first Formula One driver to top qualifying and the race on the same day.

Jenson Button took his third consecutive podium for third place, just holding off home hero and BAR team-mate Takuma Sato.

Another strong result for BAR sees the Brackley-based team move 16 points clear of Renault, effectively securing second place in the constructors’ championship.

Renault’s lead driver Fernando Alonso was off the pace in fifth, finishing just ahead of the sixth-placed McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen.

Juan Pablo Montoya was comprehensively out-raced by Williams team-mate on his way to seventh while Giancarlo Fisichella gave Sauber the final point.

Eventual winner Schumacher led away from pole position from brother Ralf, with Button making good progress up to third as Jaguar’s Mark Webber floundered and dropped from third on the grid to sixth at turn one.

Button’s first-lap pace deserted him and the Englishman was soon under pressure from Sato. Button appeared to pull over to allow Sato through, with the Japanese driver lapping significantly faster than his team-mate.

Coulthard passed Webber for fifth at the last chicane on lap 10 with Fisichella easing past the Jaguar soon after.

Schumacher was able to take his first pit stop without even losing the lead, while further back Fisichella’s good run was blighted on lap 17 when he ran wide.

Webber’s superb qualifying effort in counted for nothing when he was forced to park his Jaguar in the pits on lap 21 with a mechanical problem.

Schumacher was superior enough to ensure his second pit stop on lap 26 did not deprive him of a lead he had enjoyed since the start.

Jarno Trulli was enjoying an action-packed first race for Toyota, first seeing off a spirited attack from Juan Pablo Montoya before Barrichello bullied his way past for seventh.

At the front Schumacher was pulling clear with ease from his brother while Sato and Button were engaged in a battle for third.

Glock spun on lap 38 and gave Schumacher a scare by pulling back on track just in front of the world champion.

Coulthard’s challenge for his best result of the season was ended by Barrichello a lap later when the pair made heavy contact, eliminating both drivers.

Sato’s final pit stop saw him return to the track 13 seconds down on Button and facing an uphill battle to claim third.

He fell well short as Schumacher took his 83rd grand prix win with ease.

Speaking after his victory, Michael Schumacher said: "For us it was pretty clear we would have a good race pace. I was pretty confident I could do it.

“It wasn’t clear who had been how heavy. We had to be flat out until the first pit stops were done.”

Button confirmed he had not attempted to hold Sato back in the early stages.

He added: “He was probably slowing me down. I was really struggling with rear grip. There was no use to fight him because I knew we had a different strategy.

“I went for the two stops because it worked pretty well for me in the last race.”