Formula One statistics

Some Formula One statistics ahead of Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix:

WINNING STREAK

Michael Schumacher, with his win in Australia this month following victory in Japan at the end of last season, is now looking for his third win in a row.

The Ferrari driver has also won the last two Malaysian Grands Prix and has led more laps at Sepang than any other driver -- 95 in total.

Last year in Malaysia, Schumacher became the first driver in 48 years to win six races in a row. The record remains Italian Alberto Ascari's nine in succession between 1952 and 1953.

Ferrari have won every grand prix held at the Malaysian circuit since it first hosted a race in 1999.

No driver from any team other than Ferrari and McLaren has so far stood on the podium in Malaysia.

Schumacher has won more grands prix than any other driver, taking his 54th in Melbourne. Ferrari have won 145 races in total, McLaren 134 and Williams 107.

The last race without a Ferrari or McLaren driver on the podium was the September 1999 European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring, won by the Stewart of Briton Johnny Herbert.

POLES APART

As well as winning two out of the three races held in Malaysia to date, Schumacher is the only driver ever to have been on pole at Sepang.

The Ferrari driver has not been on pole yet in 2002 however after losing out to Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello in Melbourne.

Schumacher has 43 career poles, still well off the record of 65 set by the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna.

Ferrari have had 148 poles, McLaren and Williams 112 each.

TREND

Since 1990, seven years have seen back-to-back wins at the start of the season. In all cases, the driver concerned has gone on to win the world championship (2001 and 2000 Schumacher, 1998 Mika Hakkinen, 1996 Damon Hill, 1994 Schumacher, 1992 Nigel Mansell and 1991 Ayrton Senna.

The last exception was 1982, when Alain Prost won the first two races and Finland's Keke Rosberg was champion.

DEBUT

Providing he qualifies, Minardi's Alex Yoong will become the first Malaysian to drive in his home grand prix on Sunday.

POINTS

Australian Mark Webber became the 51st driver in Formula One history to score on his grand prix debut with his fifth place in Melbourne. The points were Minardi's first since 1999.

Six of the 11 teams have never won a race -- BAR, Arrows, Sauber, Jaguar, Minardi and debutants Toyota. Arrows hold the record of 372 starts without a win.