Formula Yawn: Automatically Ferrari

The German’s 64th career win, one of many records in his collection, was an untroubled passage from pole to podium ahead of Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello.

Ferrari, accused of turning the sport into “Formula Yawn” in a crushing year accompanied by dwindling television viewing figures, secured their fourth successive constructors’ title in August.

“I’d rather be criticised for being dominant than being too slow,” said Schumacher after celebrating with his mechanics and team members.

“It’s hard to find words to describe this season, but the results speak for themselves.”

Barrichello crossed the line 0.506 behind Schumacher, anchoring Ferrari’s fifth successive one-two and ninth of the season, ahead of McLaren’s young Finn Kimi Raikkonen and the Williams of Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

Takuma Sato, the only Japanese driver in the race, received a winner’s ovation from a delirious home crowd after he finished fifth in a Jordan for the first points of his Grand Prix career.

Briton Jenson Button was sixth in his last race for Renault before joining British American Racing.

Sato’s fine result rescued a race low on thrills, his obvious delight and the roars from the 155,000 strong crowd leaving no doubt who was their man of the moment.

It also allowed Honda-powered Jordan to finish sixth in the final standings, leapfrogging ahead of Jaguar and BAR with nine points.

He was the first Japanese driver to score points in Formula One since Shinji Nakano for Prost in 1997.