Schumacher pledges to land title in style

Michael Schumacher will try to end the Formula One season in a blaze of glory by landing an historic sixth drivers' crown with victory in the title decider in Japan.

The German is on the brink of motor racing history following his win in the United States Grand Prix, which left him needing one point in Suzuka to beat the record he shares with Juan Manuel Fangio. But Schumacher, who leads his one remaining rival Kimi Raikkonen by nine points, vowed he will not adopt a safety-first approach in his Ferrari on Sunday week.

"My target will be to win another race," Schumacher said after capitalising on the changing weather conditions at Indianapolis to beat Raikkonen by 18 seconds and see Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya knocked out of contention.

"Obviously I am in a very good position starting the last race needing just one point, basically. But you never know. First we have to finish. But on the other side, I think we have a very reliable car."

Raikkonen was well in control after haring away from pole at the start of the 73-lap race with Schumacher struggling early on, but once the rain intervened the tyre advantage switched to Ferrari.

The 23-year-old Finn fought back in the later stages to snatch second spot from Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen to maintain an outside chance of becoming the youngest driver in history to win the title.