Schumacher: Don't compare me to Fangio.

Despite breaking out of a tie with Juan Manuel Fangio for the honour of having won the greatest number of Formula One world championships, Michael Schumacher has asked not to be compared with the Argentine legend.

Although he now stands alone with a haul of six titles, the German believes that he has a long way to go to be Fangio's equal, especially after making life difficult for himself in the 2003 finale at Suzuka on Sunday.

Two scrapes at the chicane almost prevented Schumacher from claiming the eighth place - and one point - that he needed to prevent title rival Kimi Raikkonen from beating him to the crown and, had anything happened to team-mate and race leader Rubens Barrichello, the Ferrari driver could have left Japan still the numerical equal of 1950s master Fangio.

"I am not trying to compare myself to Fangio - you cannot compare someone like Fangio with the present day," Schumacher said after the race, "He is on a level much higher than I see myself. There is absolutely no comparison. What he did stands alone and what we have achieved is also unique. I have such respect for what he achieved."

Team-mate Barrichello, like Fangio a South American, was also of the opinion that the Argentine and Schumacher could not be compared because of the difference of their two eras.

"I think it is impossible to compare Michael to Fangio, to Senna or whoever is in the frame," the Brazilian said, "However, I think Michael is making history with a lot of his achievements and it seems that he is going to beat all the [great] ones."