Schumacher takes fourth title

Winner again: Schumacher takes the chequered flag

Click here for results and standings

Michael Schumacher achieved a unique treble with victory in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.

With the easy victory, the German secured a fourth world drivers title, the constructors title for Ferrari and equalled Alain Prost's record of 51 Grand Prix wins.

Only the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, with five titles, has won the world championship more times.

It's been a beautiful weekend

Michael Schumacher

Schumacher finished 3.363 seconds ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

McLaren's David Coulthard, Schumacher's only nominal rival in the championship before the race, was back in third place.

The champion's brother, Ralf Schumacher, finished fourth in a Williams, ahead of McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, with Nick Heidfeld in sixth.

"It's been a beautiful weekend," an emotional Schumacher said. "We got pole, the victory, I equalised Alain's 51 wins and fourth title.

Scumacher jumps for joy on the podium

"It's a bit too much for me right now to take it in. "It's a great achievement but the way it has been done is what makes me feel so fantastic.

"You can't believe how good the (Ferrari) guys are. I really love all of them. It's their achievement."

Schumacher claimed the title with four races still remaining after dominating from start to finish in a typically processional race at the Budapest track.

Coulthard challenge

In many respects, the race was the season in microcosm, with Scotland's Coulthard the only driver offering a token challenge to Schumacher.

The Ferraris made a perfect start, as Barrichello capitalised on Coulthard's slowness off the grid to cruise into second place.

Barrichello served as a bulwark behind Schumacher and the rest of the field, allowing the German to crank out a series of fastest laps and move into a commanding 12-second lead within 23 laps.

He briefly dropped down to third place after his pit stop on lap 29.

Gravel pits: Irvine's race ended early

Schumacher duly regained the lead within three laps, although Coulthard moved ahead of Barrichello into second place after a quick first pit stop.

However, the Scot had a much slower stop next time around, allowing Barrichello to reclaim second place after 54 laps.

And, on a track not conducive to overtaking, the top six stayed the same over the final 22 laps.

Eddie Irvine's race lasted less than a lap as he spun out into the gravel trap on the first corner.

Jenson Button picked up a 10-second penalty for jumping the start and a dismal weekend ended when he stalled on lap 37.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, making his debut for Prost, retired after 65 laps.

His successor at Jordan Jean Alesi maintained his record of completing every race this season by finishing 10th.

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Hungarian GP results

1. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1hr 41min 49.675sec
2. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari at 3.363sec
3. David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren-Mercedes 3.940
4. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Williams-BMW 49.687 5. Mika Hakkinen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:10.293
6. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber-Petronas at one lap
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Sauber-Petronas one lap
8. Juan-Pablo Montoya (Col) Williams-BMW one lap
9. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BAR-Honda two laps
10. Jean Alesi (Fra) Jordan-Honda two laps
11. Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) Jaguar two laps
12. Jos Verstappen (Ned) Arrows-Asiatech three laps.

Drivers standings

1. M. Schumacher (Ger) 94pts
2. D. Coulthard (Gbr) 51
3. R. Barrichello (Bra) 46
4. R. Schumacher (Ger) 44
5. M. Hakkinen (Fin) 21
6. JP. Montoya (Col) 15
7. J. Villeneuve (Can) 11
7. N. Heidfeld (Ger) 11
9. J. Trulli (Ita) 9
9 K. Raikkonen (Fin) 9
11. HH. Frentzen (Ger) 6
12. O. Panis (Fra) 5
13. E. Irvine (Gbr) 4
13. G. Fisichella (Ita) 4
13 J. Alesi (Fra) 4
16. J. Button (Gbr) 2
17. J. Verstappen (Ned) 1

Constructors standings

1. Ferrari 140 pts (champion)
2. McLaren-Mercedes 72
3. Williams-BMW 62
4. Sauber-Petronas 17 5. BAR-Honda 16
6 Jordan-Honda 15
7. Benetton-Renault 6
8. Jaguar 5
9. Prost-Acer 4
10. Arrows-Asiatech 1