INDIANAPOLIS -- Don't count Michael Schumacher among the people who think the 2002 Formula One season is as good as over.

"The racing doesn't stop, whether the championship is decided or not,'' Schumacher said as his team prepared his dominant Ferrari race car for the SAP U.S. Grand Prix. "We have seen this very often -- that races continued and still showed good fun.

	Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, right, and teammate Rubens Barrichello have combined to win 13 and of the 15 races this season.

"A championship is not only for the first position; there are other positions to be settled, as well, and the races still continue, fights still continue, and good action is going on.''

Those are empty words for some fans, particularly those of other teams.

Schumacher, who won the first F1 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2000, turned this season into a rout early and wrapped up his fifth championship after just 11 of 17 races.

The German driver has won a record 10 events already this year and hasn't finished worse than third. Teammate Rubens Barrichello has won three races, giving the Ferrari team, with its trademark blood-red cars and prancing horse logo, virtually complete control of the international open-wheel series in 2002.

The overpowering Schumacher also holds records for most Grand Prix wins (63), and most championship points (923). A victory at Indy would move him within three of the all-time record of 67 open-wheel victories, set by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt.

Jacques Villeneuve, who won the 500-mile race at Indy in 1995 before heading for Formula One, said fans have continued to turn out for the races this season, despite Ferrari's dominance.

"It has been clear what team and what driver would be winning the championship,'' said Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champ who now drives for BAR-Honda. "So I don't think people were coming to see that. People enjoying watching a good race, even when a championship is not at stake.''

Rookie Mark Webber, who drives for the lowly Minardi team, noted that having the title decided isn't going to change the way he or other drivers approach Sunday's race.

Webber has really had virtually no chance to win, but he has driven all-out in every race and finished a season-best fifth in the opener.

	“	Just because Michael is miles ahead on points, it doesn't mean that I am going to give up. ”
		— Montoya

"The whole F1 field will drive the same, whether the championship is settled or not,'' Webber said. "Michael might be world champion, but you still may see a phenomenal race. You will probably see an awesome race in Indy because we have seen two great races there.''

There does remain one major battle, with Juan Montoya, the 2000 Indy 500 winner, racing Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher -- Michael's younger brother -- and David Coulthard for third place in the standings.

Behind them, only one point separates the four drivers fighting for eighth place and only two points separate the next six drivers.

Montoya, who went out of last year's Indy race with mechanical problems after running at or near the front early, would love to add an F1 victory at Indy to his 500 triumph.

"Just because Michael is miles ahead on points, it doesn't mean that I am going to give up,'' the Colombian driver said. "I have been on pole seven times this year, and you can't really call that giving up.

"In Canada, we had the pace to win. In Monaco, we had the pace to win. At every race, you try to get as many points as possible.''

Webber summed up the situation, saying the competitive spirit of the drivers themselves will keep the races exciting.

"Michael will be racing and banging wheels with Montoya or Coulthard or whoever it is, even if he has a 100-point lead,'' the Australian driver said.