Michael Schumacher's bid to win a record sixth Formula One world title got off to a smooth start at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. The Ferrari ace was down in 11th place after three laps but on course for the title as his only rival Kimi Raikkonen, in a McLaren, needs to win the race and for the German to finish out of the points for him to be crowned champion.

After three laps, Raikkonen was in fifth place while Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya had snatched the lead from Rubens Barrichello in the other Ferrari. However Schumacher's push hit trouble on the sixth lap when his Ferrari collided with the BAR-Honda of Takuma Sato.

The German had to pit to get the nose on his car replaced after the damage was caused when he tried to overtake the Japanese driver. The stop relegated him down to 19th. However, Raikkonen was struggling in fifth place needing to win the race to deny Schumacher the title.

At the front, Barrichello in the other Ferrari had taken the lead back from Montoya after the Williams driver was forced out of the face due to a technical problem. Fernando Alonso was lying in second place behind the Brazilian.

Alonso, though, was soon on the retirement list. His Renault engine blew leaving his stranded on the sidelines together with Heinz-Harald Frentzen, whose Sauber let him down in what may be his final F1 grand prix.

20 laps into the race, Barrichello held onto the lead, while the battle between Raikkonen and Schumacher had the duo third and 11th – both short of where they need to be in the standings to win the title.

However, at the end of the final round of pit stops Raikkonen was up to second place, thanks to his team-mate David Coulthard refusing to pass him despite having a faster car. But, Barrichello was still ahead of the Finn, and in the way of the vital ten points he needs.

Schumacher, meanwhile, almost retired early for the second time at Suzuka after a closely-fought tussle with his brother, Ralf. The Williams driver earned himself a broken front wring for his efforts, while Michael earned the eighth place he needs to retain his title.

53 laps after the start of the race Barrichello took the chequered flag to win the race, and help his team-mate, Schumacher, to his sixth World title.

Top Eight: Barrichello, Raikkonen, Coulthard, Button, Trulli, Sato, da Matta and Michael Schumacher.