:: FORMULA 1 NEWS ::

Ferrari are putting pressure on tyre company Bridgestone to up its game.

Bridgestone faced serious opposition in 2003 from rival Michelin, which supplies Ferrari's world title rivals Williams and McLaren.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said: "Bridgestone have realised they are facing much stronger competition.

"In the last few months we've been spending a lot of time with them to make sure of our winter test programme," he added.

"It's a key element for next year and we are going to be busy on the tyre front. To me it's one-third car, one-third tyres, one-third driver. All those have to be at the highest level or else you won't succeed."

Ferrari say they are determined to extend their winning run into next year, in the aftermath of Michael Schumacher becoming the first man in history to win six drivers' titles.

Michael Schumacher has hailed his victory in the US Grand Prix as one of the greatest of his career.

Sunday's win at Indianapolis has left the Ferrari driver needing just one point to secure an all-time record sixth world championship.

"It's one of my best days in my life. It's such an important moment, such an unusual race, so many possibilities to happen," Schumacher said.

"When you have a result like this at a crucial moment it's beautiful."

Only McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen can beat Schumacher to the title.

Raikkonen finished second to Schumacher at Indianapolis and is now nine points behind.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen have a golden opportunity to put themselves in control of the race for the Formula One world championship at Sunday's US Grand Prix.

Raikkonen has qualified on pole position at Indianapolis in his McLaren while Montoya is fourth on the grid in his Williams. World championship leader Michael Schumacher is down in seventh place in his Ferrari.

It is the perfect position for Schumacher's two challengers, for whom a good result in the US this weekend is vital for their title hopes.

Montoya trails Schumacher by three points with Raikkonen a further four behind with just one race to go after Indy.

But making Sunday's result even more crucial is the fact that the Japanese Suzuka track that hosts the final race is expected strongly to favour Schumacher and Ferrari.