Schumacher wins Japanese Grand Prix, Sato 5th

October 14, 2002 SUZUKA — World Champion Michael Schumacher powered his Ferrari to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday while local favorite Takuma Sato produced a personal-best fifth in the Formula One season-ending race.

Starting in pole position, Schumacher completed the 53-laps of the 5.821-kilometer Suzuka circuit in Mie Prefecture in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 59.698 seconds to lead Ferrari to a 1-2 finish and notch his 11th win of the season and third straight Japanese Grand Prix triumph.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello finished half a second behind in the other Ferrari to secure a ninth 1-2 finish of the season for the Italian constructor while McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen of Finland was third and Juan Pablo Montoya was fourth in his Williams.

Sato finished in 1:28:22.392 and received rapturous applause from the home crowd and a hero's welcome on his return to the pits.

"Clocking up two driver's points is an absolute dream. It was my best F-1 race and I'm absolutely thrilled," said Sato, who was able to move up to fifth after Ralf Schumacher, third for most of the race, pulled out on the 48th lap with engine trouble.

"There were fans cheering me and waving flags throughout. That really spurred me on and I could respond with a good performance," said Sato, whose finish was the best by a Japanese driver since 1997 when Shinji Nakano placed sixth at the Hungarian Grand Prix. (Kyodo News)