by Will Gray
BUDAPEST, Aug 15 (AFP) - Ferrari reached another goal in a dominant era when they won their sixth consecutive constructors' world championship at the Hungarian Grand Prix here Sunday.
The Italian giants have been at the head of the Formula One field ever since winning their first world title in 16 years in 2000 but this year has already been one of the most successful in their history.
World champion Michael Schumacher has led the team to 12 victories from 13 races while his team-mate Rubens Barrichello has worked well in his back-up role to gather in the points that have won them the title.
He sealed the title in style with a dominant performance and said: "It is the 14th world championship for Ferrari but it's the sixth in the row and that's what is so outstanding about it.
"It's the way we did it. It's already again so dominant, just so perfect. It is great to live in this time and to be a part of this period and this success. We just enjoy it as long as can.
"Everything goes so well. It's a great atmosphere we have in the team and the good thing about Formula One is that it's always going forward. We always have new things coming, new things to expect."
The Italian team were utterly dominant two years ago when they won 15 races but they could still beat that record - which they hold with McLaren - if they win four of the remaining five races.
Their points tally this season has so far reached 202 and, with a total of 90 remaining, they could comfortably out-score the record tally of 221 points in a season they set in 2002.
Team principal Jean Todt said: "We have written another extraordinary page in this company's history book today - six consecutive constructors' titles and the certainty that one of our drivers will take the drivers' title.
"These are dream results and now we are looking forward to being back in Maranello to celebrate with president Luca di Montezemolo and the entire Gestione Sportiva."
Ferrari's continued success is down to their close-knit team of key people who were gathered together by Todt, a former rally driver, after he joined the Italian team at a low point in 1993.
Todt brought in the creative genius of chief design Rory Byrne, the strategic knowledge of technical director Ross Brawn and the driving talent of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine to win the title in 1999.
Rubens Barrichello replaced Irvine in 2000 to create a long-running and successful partnership with Schumacher that is now set to continue, along with the rest of the team's key members, until the end of 2006.
Todt has also included engine designer Paolo Martinelli and strategist Luca Baldisseri in the central hub and recently signed key aerodynamics man John Iley as the team continues to hone itself towards perfection.
Their partners, tyre company Bridgestone and fuels specialists Shell, have both increased their involvement within the team to form a complete package rather than a collection of contributors.
It all took time, but it has worked.
There is no doubting the team has been built around Schumacher, who has won 63 of the 139 races he has driven for Ferrari and he has contributed 120 points from his tally of 12 wins this season.
The team have left their rivals standing after a brief period of worry last season when new regulations - introduced after their dominance in 2002 - pushed them back into the pack before they won the title by 14 points.
The Hungarian Grand Prix was one of the team's worst last year but the frowns and furrowed brows of 2003 were replaced by the smiles of success after they secured the crown at the Hungaroring this time around.