Michael Schumacher had Ralf in his mirrors

Seven-time Formula One auto racing world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany led from start to finish behind the wheel of his Ferrari to easily win the Japanese Grand Prix.

The pole-sitting Schumacher finished 14 seconds ahead of his younger brother, Ralf who guided his Williams-BMW to a second place finish.

Britain's Jenson Button of BAR-Honda was third, followed by teammate Takuma Sato of Japan, says Voice of America.

According to the CBC Sports, the victory was Michael Schumacher's record 13th of the season and 83rd of his F1 career, which now includes six wins in Japan. It is Ferrari's fifth consecutive win at the Suzuka International &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2003/08/22/49491.html ' target=_blank>Racing Course.

The champion got off to his usual great start. The brothers Schumacher began to open up a gap on the field right from the green flag. By lap three, Michael had built a 2.7-second margin on Ralf and a 9.1-second lead over third-place Jenson Button.

By lap 10 the seven-time champion held a 17.2-second margin over hometown favorite Takuma Sato as Ralf Schumacher was the first driver to make a fuel stop. And he still wasn't thinking about slowing down. Lap 13 was his fastest lap of the day and allowed Schumacher to pit and still come out as the leader of the race.

"Coming here to Suzuka, which is a circuit I like very much, it's just nice and great," said Schumacher, who also won for Ferrari in 1997 and Benetton in 1995.

"I had Ralf in my mirrors for quite a while," Michael said.