Schumacher installed as favorite for 2001

GERMAN Michael Schumacher has been installed as favorite for the 2001 world championship after claiming his third title success this year in dominant style.

The Ferrari driver added this year's crown to his previous 1994 and 1995 successes with Benetton to his list of achievements and he has been named 5/4 favorite to lift a fourth title next year.

Championship rival Mika Hakkinen is 2/1 to win the title while his McLaren team-mate David Coulthard has odds of 4/1 to become world champion.

Newcomer Juan Pablo Montoya, who will replace Jenson Button at BMW-Williams, is 25/1 to be a champion in his debut season while 20-year-old Benetton-bound Button is 66/1 along with fellow Briton Eddie Irvine, of Jaguar.