Formula One: Michael Schumacher's rain-defying victory in Shanghai on Sunday left German newspapers struggling to find enough superlatives after the seven-time champion moved to the top of the standings for the first time in two years.

"His victory in China was one of the most brilliant things that Schumi ever pulled off," yesterday's Bild said of the 37-year-old, who is retiring after the final two races of this season.

"For the first time in 575 days, Schumi blasts back on top of the championship just weeks before the end of his career."

The country's best-selling daily, which had all but written off Schumacher when he trailed Spain's Fernando Alonso by 25 points in July, invented a new compound German term for the German's heroics: "Schumisupermegaturbo-geilgöttlichgigagalaktisch!" (Schumi super mega turbo cool divine giga galactic) the paper wrote in a headline.

"He showed the world who's the best, cuts Alonso to shreds and shuts (Renault boss) Flavio Briatore's trap. His 91st victory in his 248th grand prix was simply one of his best races ever. A lot of fans are now asking, 'Why the heck is he going to retire now?'"

The Süddeutsche Zeitung also struggled to contain its enthusiasm over the unexpected triumph on the rain-soaked Shanghai circuit, where Alonso started on pole and was expected to win with his superior Michelin tyres.

"Schumacher never looked better than he did in China," wrote the Munich-based paper. "Without a doubt, this 91st career victory was a very special one for Schumacher. Derring-do, cleverness, ability, flawlessness - he once again showed his entire repertoire."

Der Tagesspiegel said the victory was probably the sweetest in Schumacher's career because the wet conditions had appeared to leave his Ferrari and Bridgestone tyres at a disadvantage.

"Schumacher not only had one of his strongest races in a long, long time with this victory, he also took over the championship lead and now has every chance to win an eighth title," the Berlin newspaper wrote.

"After the race he was smiling and laughing in a way that few have ever seen before. This victory was different from the others."

Schumacher and Alonso left Shanghai on 116 points, but with just two races remaining the German leads thanks to his seven race wins compared to the Spaniard's six.

And with Japan's Suzuka circuit the next stop on the calendar at the weekend, Schumacher is preparing for one of his favourites races of the season.

However, Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix is the last at the famous Suzuka circuit for the foreseeable future after Formula One officials announced earlier in the year that next season's Japanese Grand Prix would be hosted at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway.

Meanwhile, South Korea is to host a Formula One grand prix from 2010.

Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial promoter, and Park Joon-Yung, governor of the South Cholla province, reached an agreement yesterday that will see the south-east Asian country host an annual World Championship race in Yongam county until 2016.

A track will be built in the province, with a completion date of 2009. It will host its first race in October the following year.

The track will be constructed by the Korea Auto Valley Operation at a cost of over €200 million.

Ecclestone has tried previously to bring Formula One to South Korea, striking a deal in 1996 with the Sepoong Engineering Construction Co Ltd to hold races at Kunsan City from 1998 to 2002.

The track was never built and Ecclestone won a subsequent court case in Britain allowing him to keep a payment of $11.75 million.