Michael Schumacher ended his winless streak by claiming an easy victory in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Ferrari's world champion had been without a win in three attempts prior to Sunday's race, a comparative drought for a driver only beaten once in 13 races prior to that spell.

But he got back on the top step of the podium in dominant style by winning in Japan and helping Ferrari equal the record for wins in a season with their 15th triumph of 2004.

Despite the disruption of seeing Saturday's qualifying postponed to the morning of the race, Schumacher was unperturbed and took a family one-two from brother Ralf, claiming his first podium since July last year.

In claiming his 36th pole-to-win triumph, Schumacher became the first Formula One driver to top qualifying and the race on the same day.

Jenson Button took his third consecutive podium for third place, just holding off home hero and BAR team-mate Takuma Sato.

Another strong result for BAR sees the Brackley-based team move 16 points clear of Renault, effectively securing second place in the constructors' championship.

Renault's lead driver Fernando Alonso was off the pace in fifth, finishing just ahead of the sixth-placed McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen.

Juan Pablo Montoya was comprehensively out-raced by his Williams team-mate on his way to seventh while Giancarlo Fisichella gave Sauber the final point.

Eventual winner Schumacher led away from pole position from brother Ralf, with Button making good progress up to third as Jaguar's Mark Webber floundered and dropped from third on the grid to sixth at turn one.

Button's first-lap pace deserted him and the Englishman was soon under pressure from Sato. Button appeared to pull over to allow Sato through, with the Japanese driver lapping significantly faster than his team-mate.

David Coulthard passed Webber for fifth at the last chicane on lap 10 with Fisichella easing past the Jaguar soon after.

Schumacher was able to take his first pit stop without even losing the lead, while further back Fisichella's good run was blighted on lap 17 when he ran wide.

Webber's superb qualifying effort in counted for nothing when he was forced to park his Jaguar in the pits on lap 21 with a mechanical problem.

Schumacher was superior enough to ensure his second pit stop on lap 26 did not deprive him of a lead he had enjoyed since the start.

Jarno Trulli was enjoying an action-packed first race for Toyota, first seeing off a spirited attack from Montoya before Rubens Barrichello bullied his way past for seventh.

At the front Schumacher was pulling clear with ease from his brother while Sato and Button were engaged in a battle for third.

Timo Glock spun on lap 38 and gave Schumacher a scare by pulling back on track just in front of the world champion.

Coulthard's challenge for his best result of the season was ended by Barrichello a lap later when the pair made heavy contact, eliminating both drivers.

Sato's final pit stop saw him return to the track 13 seconds down on Button and facing an uphill battle to claim third.

He fell well short as Schumacher took his 83rd grand prix win with ease.