Schumacher 'happy' despite poor show
Michael Schumacher produced his worst qualifying performance for over eight years in Japan today, but declared: “I’m happy”.
The Ferrari driver will start his title decider with Kimi Raikkonen at Suzuka from 14th spot on the grid – six places behind the Finn after a rain-hit session.
It is his lowest grid slot since he began the 1995 race in Belgium from 16th place for Benetton though he won the race while on the way to his second title.
Schumacher needs just one point tomorrow to celebrate a record-breaking sixth drivers’ crown even if McLaren rival Raikkonen triumphs from the fourth row.
The 34-year-old’s hopes of making history were boosted as team-mate Rubens Barrichello powered to pole position to enhance Ferrari’s chances of winning both championships.
“I’m happy,” said Schumacher. “It’s good to see Rubens on pole. There is a bit of extra pressure on him but I am sure he can handle it.
“Hopefully he can win tomorrow which will give me the drivers’ championship and should give Ferrari the Manufacturers’.”
Schumacher and Raikkonen were both hit by the changing weather conditions which left the Suzuka track slippery by the time they took their turn at one-shot qualifying.
But it is Raikkonen who came off worst as he will struggle to get the win he desperately needs from eighth place on the grid.
Raikkonen’s cause was not helped when he had to switch to team-mate David Coulthard’s car after crashing his own into the barriers during practice.
Coulthard, in the spare, qualified in seventh spot.
Barrichello took top spot for the third time this season by almost 0.7 seconds from Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams, whose hopes of overturning a three-point deficit to Ferrari were hit when Ralf Schumacher slid off.
Schumacher will start from 19th spot – only Renault’s Jarno Trulli was worse off after abandoning his lap. The duo were the last two on the track.
“It is important for me to win the race, that will help the team,” said Montoya. “I am sure Ralf will be able to make up lots of positions because he will have the power advantage. It is when he gets up to P7 that it will become more difficult.”
Brazil’s Cristiano da Matta completed an all-South American top three when he clocked a career-best third spot for Toyota with team-mate Olivier Panis fourth. Fernando Alonso was fifth for Renault with Mark Webber an excellent sixth for Jaguar.
