TOKYO (AFP) - World champion Michael Schumacher vowed to end his three-race Formula One losing streak at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend -- come rain or shine.
"It's pretty simple. I want to win," the Ferrari ace said at sponsor's events ahead of the season's 17th and penultimate race in Suzuka on Sunday.
"Something I'd like to do is get back to my winning ways but Rubens (Barrichello) wants to stop that," he quipped, referring to his Brazilian teammate who has won the last two races in Italy and China.
The 35-year-old German has not won since winning his 12th Grand Prix of the season at the 13th round in Hungary two months ago on his way to sew up the drivers crown for a record-stretching seventh time.
At the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai two weeks ago, he finished 12th following a spin and a tyre puncture.
"We have both come here to win the race for Ferrari and our partners," Schumacher said Wednesday.
"Whether it's going to be Rubens or me, it's Ferrari. That is important."
Asked if the two drivers would go for a one-two finish, the German driver said: "We'll try."
Rain was forecast for the race on the twisting technical circuit in Suzuka, home to Japanese carmaker Honda. The Italian team also use Japanese Bridgestone tyres.
"It will be even better," said Schumacher, who has proven to be metronomically consistent both on dry and wet tracks and revels in his nickname as the 'King of the Wet'.
"We believe we're going to be strong in any condition. Suzuka for us is a home Grand Prix. We certainly would like to continue the success story we have done this year," he said.
In the record books, Schumacher has topped Argentine great Juan Fangio in the number of world titles. Fangio won five times in the 1950s.
Schumacher and Barrichello have taken 14 races so far in the 18-leg season. In 1988, the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna and Frenchman Alain Prost secured 15 race wins out of 16 for McLaren Honda.
Barrichello was also upbeat ahead of Sunday's race.
"Obviously, it's a home Grand Prix for Bridgestone and we want to do very well here," the 32-year-old Brazilian said. "The last couple of races have been just phenomenal. And we will just keep on doing the way we have done."
He said the Japanese Grand Prix is among four important rounds of the year -- the race in Monza in Ferrari's home turf, a "mega event" in China, the Japanese race where Bridgestone is based and the season-closing Brazil GP before his home fans.
Ferrari team boss Jean Todt said Suzuka was the "next challange" although his red-hot Italian team have already secured the constructor's title for the sixth straight time.
"We are always looking foward to the next challenge," he said, adding: "We are already focused on 2005 with new tyre regulations. We'll start from scratch."
Changes in F1 technical rules are for engines to be used in two races rather than just one, for aerodynamics changes to the front and rear wings, and for a single tyre to be used for qualifying and the race.