Michael Schumacher clinched a record-equalling fifth world Formula One title at Magny Cours with a dramatic last-gasp victory in the French Grand Prix. The Ferrari ace snatched the honours four laps from the end of a gripping 72-lap battle at the 4.25km Magny Cours circuit after a blunder from race leader Kimi Raikkonen.
McLaren driver Raikkonen, who had driven an otherwise flawless race, lost control of his car at a corner and spun out allowing Schumacher to pass him to cruise home. The only two men capable of catching Schumacher in the 2002 drivers championship was team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Williams driver Juan-Pablo Montoya, who had already faded from contention.
That left the way clear for Schumacher to power home to his fifth title, equalling the feat of the legendary Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio. The German 33-year-old weaved his Ferrari all over the track and punched the air in delight as he took the chequered flag as his team-mates in the pits celebrated.
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 with the team. Jordan's Takuma Sato crashed in the only Jordan to race while Eddie Irvine retired midway through the race. But it is the German who has an unassailable lead of 64 points over Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello with just six races left.
Montoya, the only other man who could stop Schumacher winning the title, had led early on but faded following his second pit-stop. Schumacher can now claim to be the greatest driver in history having matched Fangio's title haul while his record 61st career triumph is 37 more than his illustrious South American predecessor.
The Swiss-base racer looked to have to wait until next week's home race in Hockenheim for the title as young Finn Raikkonen seemed set to score his maiden win. But he made a mistake at Adelaide corner when he drifted too wide allowing Schumacher to pounce and triumph despite having served a drive-through penalty for crossing the white line while exiting the pit-lane.
French Grand Prix – Final Standings:
1st - M Schumacher (Ferrari)
2nd - K Raiddonen (McLaren)
3rd - D Coulthard (McLaren)
4th - J P Montoya (Williams)
5th -R Schumacher (Williams)
6th - J Button (Renault)
World Drivers Championship Standings:
1st - M Schumacher 96 points (World Champion)
2nd - J P Montoya 34 points
3rd - R Barrichello 32 points
3rd - R Schumacher 32 points
5th - D Coulthard 30 points
6th - K Raikkonen 17 points
World Constructors Championship Standings:
1st - Ferrari 128 points
2nd - Williams 66 points
3rd - McLaren 47 points
4th - Renault 15 points
5th - Sauber 10 points
6th - Jordan 6 points
Filed by James Shortt
