Ten performances that shook the world: Motor Racing - Schumacher imper ious at his spiritual home

It is the circuit they all revere, even fear; an arena to fire the senses of drivers and spectators alike. Spa-Francorchamps, home of the Belgium Grand Prix is Formula One's supreme challenge and on 24 August it was confirmed as Michael Schumacher's dominion.

Schumacher's ultimate, shabby demise in the championship may have provided the abiding memory of the season, but his imperious skills presented the enduring image of the sport at its most glorious.

The German gave a majestic exhibition of his unrivalled car control to master the rain and the opposition at Monaco. At Spa, however, he conjured a still more remarkable performance. This had all the elements of intelligent strategy, awesome racing, and the showman's style. Close to perfection.

Here the backdrop is the forest of the Ardennes rather than the concrete and harbour of the Principality. Here the cars climb and plunge at mesmerising speed instead of tip-toeing between hotels and apartments.

Schumacher had a Ferrari that rarely looked a match for the Williams- Renault and often appeared inferior to their cars, but given a little assistance from the elements he had the capability to tilt the balance.

He had also an affinity with Spa which stretched back to his debut, in 1991. He was seventh on the grid that day and few doubted Formula One's next superstar had arrived. He registered his maiden victory at the track 12 months later, was second in 1993, first across the line only to be disqualified in 1994 and winner in the two subsequent seasons.

This year the heavens embraced his desires again. Torrential rain brought a spectacular change to the set just before the start, but while others routinely fitted wet tyres and drove out of the pits, Schumacher hung back. He had a hunch the downpour might be brief. Not for the first time, his instincts were correct and decisive.

He eventually took his place on the grid equipped with intermediate tyres and a car prepared for wet/dry conditions. Even as he sat there, waiting for the start, he was confident he had the race at his mercy.

Released into the contest proper after three laps behind the safety car, ahead of Schumacher were Jacques Villeneuve's Williams and Jean Alesi's Benetton-Renault.

Schumacher made his crucial moves on the fifth lap. First, he squeezed inside Alesi, then forced Villeneuve, another gifted, courageous driver, into meek surrender. By the end of the lap the 28-year-old former champion led the Belgium Grand Prix by six seconds. After another four laps he was 34 seconds clear.

In the stands and along the muddy banks, they acclaimed Schumacher's prominence and one of the great drives of our time. At the time it seemed he would go on to win a third title, that his resourcefulness would deny Williams' technical advantage. In the event, he failed, proving, as he suggested, that he was not Superman after all.

That late summer afternoon in Belgium, you would have sworn he was.