Schumacher grabs world title glory

Michael Schumacher roared into the Formula One history books as he claimed a record-equalling fifth World Championship in France today.

The German snatched victory from Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen just three laps from the finish at Mangy-Course to finally equal the record set by Argentina’s Juan Manuel Fangio.

Schumacher also broke Nigel Mansell’s record for securing the title in the quickest time as the Ferrari driver became only the second man since Fangio to clinch a hat-trick of drivers’ crowns.

The 33-year-old won the 72-lap race by 1.1 seconds from Raikkonen, whose McLaren team-mate David Coulthard was third.

The Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher were fourth and fifth with Renault’s Jenson Button sixth - one day after it was confirmed he had lost his place.