Highlights

Schumacher concedes title after Alonso triumphs

(AFP)
Updated: 2006-10-09 07:35

SUZUKA, Japan - Michael Schumacher conceded that his bid for an unprecedented eighth Formula One drivers' world title was over after defending champion, Spaniard Fernando Alonso, profited from his blown engine to triumph in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany touches his head as he walks to his pits after talking to his team team's technical director Roth Brown during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 8, 2006. [Reuters]

The champion German said he and his Ferrari team would now concentrate on securing the constructors' championship in the final race of the season, in Brazil, after their first engine failure for six years wrecked his hopes of victory. Their last came at the French Grand Prix in 2000.

"It is lost," said retirement-bound Schumacher, 37. "I don't want to head off for a race hoping that my rival has to retire - that is not the way in which I want to win the title."

Schumacher led with only 16 laps remaining, when a plume of blue smoke preceded his enforced retirement from a race he was dominating Sunday.

Alonso, running second in his Renault, swept by him and raised his fist in delighted salute as he went on to cruise to his first win in eight races, seventh of the year and 15th of his career.

"After all the problems we have had and the lost points, these 10 points are a little present that God has given to us today," said Alonso, who admitted that he did not expect to challenge for the race, run in front of a record Suzuka crowd of 161,000.

The result left Alonso on 126 points and Schumacher on 116 in the drivers standings, while in the teams' contest Renault lead Ferrari 195 to 186.

In effect, Alonso needs to score only one point to wrap up his second consecutive championship before leaving the team to join McLaren Mercedes-Benz, while Renault require eight more points to emerge the triumphant constructor.

"We did a great race and so did they (Ferrari)," said Renault team chief Italian Flavio Briatore, who 24 hours earlier was suggesting that the sport's ruling body favoured the Italian team.

"It was a fantastic battle between Michael and Fernando, so great respect for them. We'll play for the championship in Brazil, nothing's decided yet."

Ferrari's team chief, Frenchman Jean Todt, was gutted by the outcome.

"I have a feeling of huge disappointment. We are well aware that the basis of all success in Formula One is reliability and today we were lacking in that respect and we have paid a high price for it," he said.

Not even the sight of Ferrari's second driver Brazilian Felipe Massa finishing second behind Alonso, but ahead of his Renault partner Italian Giancarlo Fisichella could console Todt.

"We have a really bitter taste in our mouths today," he said.