Schumacher shrouds prospect of title in understatement

If this is history in the making, Michael Schumacher is not about to get carried away with the prospect. The German could complete a Formula One world championship success in record time and become only the second driver to amass five titles, at the French Grand Prix here on Sunday.

Should he win the race and neither of his closest rivals, Rubens Barrichello and Juan Pablo Montoya, finish second, the twin mission will be accomplished with six races of the season remaining.

However, Schumacher, in characteristically understated style, maintains that is not the scenario he anticipates. If it comes, fine, but he can wait. Especially as the next race, a week later, is in his homeland.

Since Schumacher has won seven of this year's 10 grands prix to date, a maximum score would scarcely be surprising. But then if his Ferrari is again too strong for the rest, the chances are that Barrichello, his team-mate, will be keeping him company at the end.

"We understand what the circumstances are, and what can happen, but that is not my focus and I don't expect it to happen," Schumacher said. "It is a normal race and I shall try as always to win. Whether it happens here or later, for me it matters only that it happens in the end.''

A long overdue non-finish for Schumacher would also delay the inevitable. He has scored points in 15 consecutive races, giving him a share of yet another record. "That is always a concern,'' admitted Ross Brawn, Ferrari's technical director, "although the odds on a mechanical failure at any one race remain the same.''

Ferrari have famously set the standards in calculations as well as performance and incurred the wrath of the watching world for the result of this season's Austrian Grand Prix.

Barrichello shunned the issue of team orders as "polemics'' and had no wish to speculate as to whether he may be required to help Schumacher here. "I try always to win,'' the Brazilian said. "I want the best for myself and the team. It is very close for Michael. That is clear.''

Schumacher and Ferrari have been on a certain course to their respective championships for some time, again leaving Formula One open to criticism that it has become predictable and boring. The champion, naturally, has another take.

Schumacher said: "Racing doesn't stop after the championship is decided. The show is good fun and the championship is not only for first position. The fights continue.''

Jacques Villeneuve, the only other championship winner currently competing in grand prix racing, for once agreed with the man he contends lives on "Planet Michael''.

The Canadian said: "It has been clear for a few races which team and driver is going to win the championship. People are enjoying a good race no matter what the situation is.''

Schumacher has found the competition much sterner in qualifying of late. Montoya, driving a Williams-BMW, has taken pole position at each of the last four grands prix.

"Of course, we are conscious of that,'' Schumacher said. "Others have raised their game in qualifying but have suffered in the racing. We are going in the opposite direction.''

One direction Schumacher has no wish to pursue is serious rallying. The subject arose following Colin McRae's record 25th world championship victory last weekend. The Scotsman is willing to take on Schumacher in a rally car and a Formula One car to determine motor sport's ultimate superstar.

But Schumacher, winner of 60 grands prix replied: "Maybe one day when there is time I will try a rally car, but I would like to do it in a safe place, because I'm not interested in going through the forests, risking my life.''

Further down the grid, drivers are negotiating new jobs and contracts, and Jenson Button, the Englishman, currently with Renault, is strongly linked with Toyota and Sauber, two teams he favours over another suitor, Jaguar.

Button claims an announcement is due before next week's German Grand Prix, which is consistent with Toyota's plans to name their drivers for 2003 in the country where the team is based.