Schu looks forward to celebrating in style with home fans

FERRARI'S Michael Schumacher, his record-equalling fifth Formula One title secured, can celebrate before his home fans with another landmark win at Hockenheim on Sunday.

The German, who matched the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio’s five championships with his 61st career win in France last Sunday, is already the most successful driver in grand prix history. He now needs just one more victory to equal the record of nine in a single season that he holds jointly with Britain’s Nigel Mansell.

The pressure is off and for the first time in his career Schumacher will be appearing at home before his raucous army of supporters with the title won.

“We can now concentrate race by race and just enjoy it,” said the German at Magny Cours. “At Hockenheim we will celebrate again in style.”

On paper, the odds do not favour the German. He has won his home race just once before, in 1995 when he became the first ever local driver to triumph there, and was last on the Hockenheim podium in 1997. He has never won it for Ferrari.

Schumacher has failed to finish for the past two years, last season’s retirement with a fuel pressure problem also being the last time that his Ferrari has let him down on the track.

Since then, Schumacher has roared to 13 successive podium finishes and 16 races in the points while Ferrari have won the last four races and nine of the 11 to date.

With the drivers’ title won, Ferrari may now reward Brazilian Rubens Barrichello for his efforts and ensure that he finishes the season as runner-up to his team-mate. “The team won’t relax, it’s not our approach,” said team principal Jean Todt.

The big unknown, for Schumacher as much as any of his rivals, will be the circuit itself which has been extensively revamped and shortened. The great, sweeping straight through the forest has been lost but new overtaking opportunities introduced.

“It used to be a very fast race and I hope some of that remains,” said Jaguar’s Eddie Irvine, who won for Ferrari at Hockenheim in 1999 when Schumacher had a broken leg.