Michael Schumacher finally scratched Ferrari's 21-year itch in Japan yesterday as he gloriously regained his mantle as the world's greatest driver.

Schumacher became the first man to lift the coveted drivers' crown for the Italian team since South African Jody Scheckter in 1979 as he repaid their £120m investment in him by roaring to victory in Suzuka.

In denying rival Mika Hakkinen the chance of becoming only the second driver to complete a championship hat-trick, the German also joined an elite field by winning the title for the third time.

Schumacher's trademark leap of joy on the podium - though he nearly tripped as he landed - said it all as the huge weight of pressure he has been under was lifted by his victory.

Schumacher was hugged and kissed by his wife, Corinna, as he finally achieved his and Ferrari's expensive dream five years after joining Formula One's most famous, but in recent years under-achieving, marque.

''Imagine what is going on right now in Italy - that must be simply amazing,'' said a relieved Schumacher. ''Finally doing it is simply great."

Schumacher had broken down after triumphing in Italy last month to re-ignite his title hopes having at one time surrendered the 24-point lead he had built after winning the opening three races.

''The season has had its ups and down,'' admitted Schumacher, who won successive titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, after his narrow victory over McLaren's defending champion.

''We have been working for this for five years and three times we have got close. This is simply outstanding and special because it is with Ferrari and means much more to me than my other titles.

''I apologise to Benetton, but they do not have the history in Formula One that Ferrari has."

Schumacher had twice failed at the final hurdle to end Ferrari's long wait and saw them miss out with Eddie Irvine in Japan 12 months ago, when his own challenge was curtailed by his smash at Silverstone.

But he did it with a race to spare this time as his victory in difficult conditions took him 12 points clear of Hakkinen with only the Malaysian Grand Prix to come.

The Swiss-based racer is only the sixth driver to win the championship three times. The others were Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.

Only Frenchman Alain Prost, with four titles, and legendary Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio, five times king of the road, are now ahead of him.

Schumacher's third win in succession and his eighth victory of the season also took his career total of wins to 43 - just eight behind the record held by Prost, which he could break next year.

Schumacher again showed his ruthless streak yesterday as he tried to block his rival at the start.

Hakkinen was forced into the exit of the pit-lane to avoid a collision. But he gradually established a lead of 2.4 seconds before the first round of pit-stops.

The dream began to die for Hakkinen as they prepared for their second round of stops and he was slowed by backmarkers.

Schumacher's team crucially decided he should stay out for an extra couple of laps, where he gained enough of a lead