Schumacher hungry for more

Not to mention topping the alltime points scoring achievement. Schumacher has totalled 772 - just 26.50 short of Prost - and there are still 40 up for grabs.

The sheer warmth and volume of his reception drained Schumacher far more than the effort of keeping his car in front from pole position to chequered flag - with the exception of pit-stops - but he revealed afterwards: 'There is still enough fire in me to keep pushing for quite a while to come.

'My season is not over. Every race is another challenge, that's what I like about Formula One - and I want to win as many as I can. That is my job and my passion.'

There is, of course, another record on Schumacher's sporting horizon to equal and better - the five championships of Juan Manuel Fangio and with it the recognition as the greatest grand prix driver.

Schumacher said: 'I don't know about that. It would be an unfair comparison for anyone to make. The cars in the old days were unbelievable compared with now.'

The German also paid tribute to his wily manager, Willi Weber, whose deception led to team boss Eddie Jordan giving Schumacher his Formula One debut in 1991.

He was brought in for the Belgian Grand Prix when Weber persuaded Jordan to gamble on his man.

'People thought I had raced in Spa in sports cars and that's what my manager told Jordan just to get me the drive,' said Schumacher. 'But that wasn't true. I had two laps' experience there before - with a bicycle.'

Yesterday's coronation was marred only by one moment before the race. He slithered on to the gravel - and back out again - on one of the preparatory laps. It concentrated his mind thereafter, as he drove flawlessly.

Coulthard knew the odds were against him and they lengthened when he was passed, at the start, by Rubens Barrichello. Coulthard took second place with a smart first pit- stop but lost it again when there was a refuelling problem as he made his other call. He had to settle for third. It wasn't enough.

Coulthard said: ' We have been unable to finish races consistentlyand it has cost me valuable points. I'm sorry it is all over but congratulations to Michael and Ferrari. Despite the outcome, I have improved this season. And I can take some satisfaction from the fact that I couldn't have driven better or tried harder than in this race.'

Coulthard had to have treatment for dehydration after a 77-lap race run in high temperatures. Schumacher, however, gave the impression he could have gone on forever.

He said: 'It is difficult to find the right words to describe my emotions. It has been a beautiful weekend for myself and the team and these championships are a tribute to their hard work.'