Alonso moves closer to retaining title (From Witney Gazette)

Alonso moves closer to retaining title

8:15am Sunday 8th October 2006 in Other sport

Fernando Alonso took a vital step towards retaining the Formula 1 world championship today with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

The Enstone-based Renault F1 team driver moved ten points ahead of title rival Michal Schumacher who failed to finish when his Ferrari's engine blew - the first Ferrari engine failure since Indianapolis in 2001.

Alonso needs only to finish in the top eight in the final race of the season in Brazil in two weeks' time to take the title.

Schumacher's team-mate Felipe Massa, who started from pole position was second, with Alonso's team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella third. Jenson Button was fourth for the Brackley-based Honda F1 team.

Kimi Raikkonen was fifth for McLaren with the Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher sixth and seventh. In eighth was Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber.

The two podium places for the Renault drivers give the Oxfordshire team a nine-point lead in the constructors' championship heading to the final round of the series in Brazil.