Formula 1: Schu wary of rivals catching up

World champion Michael Schumacher fears his current dominance may not last long enough for him to break the oldest record in Formula One.

The German became the first driver in 48 years to win six times in succession with an incredible victory against the odds in yesterday’s monsoon hit Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur.

Schumacher’s win left him just three away from equalling the record of nine set by Italian Alberto Ascari in 1953 and only five off Alain Prost’s all-time career total of 51.

But the triple champion knows that Ferrari’s crushing grid superiority will inevitably end at some stage, and possibly before he can challenge Ascari’s almost half-century old record.

‘‘It’s great being dominant, but we know that won’t be the case for every coming race now,’’ said Schumacher after winning by over 23 seconds from team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

‘‘There were special conditions and special circumstances in Malaysia and we used them well for us.

‘‘As for the records, they are nice but they don’t count as much as how many wins and championships you get.’’

Schumacher’s victory moved him 10 points clear of Barrichello and McLaren’s David Coulthard, who finished third, heading into the third round of the 17-race season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday week.

The 32-year-old triumphed despite sliding off the track with Barrichello when leading, after a sudden tropical downpour three laps into the 55-lap race left the track like a lake and the cars behaving like speedboats.

Schumacher was also stuck behind Barrichello for over a minute as Ferrari mucked up the pit-stop for the change to intermediate tyres that proved the decisive factor.

The Swiss-based racer’s gamble not to go on full wets paid off as he charged through the field from 11th to regain the lead from Coulthard within a few laps.

The team’s first one-two of the season left them 19 points clear of McLaren, with rival team boss Eddie Jordan admitting: ‘‘Ferrari are in a different championship.

‘‘It’s frustrating for everyone else, but Michael is just out for a Sunday drive at the moment. You could assume they will be first and second in every race from now on.’’

Coulthard, who would have changed to intermediates had he known the safety car was being deployed following the third lap mayhem that saw five cars spin off, knows McLaren have a real fight on their hands.

‘‘Our car is not quick enough at the moment and Ferrari are the class of the field and they are getting what they deserve,’’ he said.

‘‘We cannot run the car to its maximum because we cannot get the balance right.

‘‘They are doing to us what we did to them in 1998 and we have got to work hard to try and improve our car and that’s what we will do.

‘‘We are going to still be a little bit behind in Brazil, hopefully we will be a bit closer but it won’t be until we get to Europe that we can start testing this car properly and move this car forward.

‘‘Although things look pretty bleak in terms of race pace I am better off now than I have been for the past few years.’’

Schumacher’s victory overshadowed a post-race spat with Barrichello, who complained that his team-mate should not have overtaken him as they were preparing to battle their way through the field.

Barrichello was also involved in a row with Schumacher’s younger brother Ralf, who finished fifth despite a first corner tangle with the Brazilian that dropped him to last place.

Jordan’s Heinz-Harald Frentzen was fourth to move his team third in the Constructors’ championship while Mika Hakkinen picked up his first points of the campaign with sixth spot in the other McLaren.

Jenson Button finished his first race for Benetton in 11th place, though he was lapped twice, while Jaguar Racing’s Eddie Irvine had to retire after also spinning on lap three.