F1: American fans spur on Schumacher

Michael Schumacher promised to give the American public what they had demanded, by winning today's United States Grand Prix.

Requests from Ferrari fans in North America helped persuade him to come to the US, following the terrorist attacks.

Schumacher claimed his 10th pole of the campaign as he saw off McLaren's Mika Hakkinen by over 0.2 seconds.

The champion said: "We have loads of supporters here in the United States and with all that has happened we would like to put a smile back on the faces of the people. Hopefully we can do that by winning the race.

''Having already won the championship I can enjoy each individual race but I will still be trying to fight and trying my best to win. Things are looking positive for tomorrow."

Schumacher will start favourite to claim the first of the two victories he needs in the final races to break the record of nine wins in a season he shares with Britain's Nigel Mansell.

But two-time world champion Hakkinen is determined to end the campaign on a high before taking a year off next season.

"I want to enjoy and take what I can out of the last two grands prix. I feel relaxed now I have made my announcement but I will give 100 per cent in the race."