Assuming there are no sudden downpours or safety car periods, Fernando Alonso is possibly one hour and thirty minutes away from making Formula One history.

One the other side of the world, at Brands Hatch in England, Emerson Fittipaldi, who for so many years held the record as the youngest World Champion in the history of the championship, has just guided Nelson Piquet and the Brazil A1 GP team to a total clean sweep. At Interlagos, Fernando Alonso is preparing to take the legendary racer's record.

With the Spaniard only needing six points to take the title, the odds were already in his favour. However, rival, Kimi Raikkonen's over enthusiastic qualifying lap, which saw the Finn flat-spot his tyre, definitely played into the youngster's hands.

That said, the officials in Brazil have allowed Raikkonen to change the flat-spotted tyre, because it was proven to be unsafe if used in the race, which means that as long as he can avoid any first corner mishaps we could still see him take the fight to the Spaniard.

In recent weeks there has been criticism of both Alonso and Renault, with many claiming that they were 'settling' for goof points finishes, rather than going for wins. Ahead of this weekend's race, both Alonso and his team have made it vary clear - both in words and by their actions - that they want to wrap up the title with a win.

Both Alonso and Raikkonen will have their teammates on hand, as both McLaren and Renault eye the Constructors' trophy. However, the Italian will have to raise his game, and hope for a little good luck, while the Colombian will have to take extra care when passing other drivers.

Takuma Sato starts from the back of the grid, having failed to post a time yesterday, while Jarno Trulli forfeits ten grid spots due to an engine change.

It's overcast, and there is a distinct feeling that there is rain in the air. Earlier in the week, the weather forecasters were predicting rain for the race, but as the week progressed they said that it was less likely.

As Fernando makes his way to his car, Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug, gives him a friendly slap and wishes him good luck, an excellent gesture.

As the cars wait on the grid preparing for the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 22 degrees.

Jacques Villeneuve is starting from the pitlane, as a result of a parc fermé infringement. Art the end of the parade lap, Monteiro pulls into the pits, where he will fill up with fuel and start the race.

Montoya moves across the track, but Alonso is already heading off into the distance, meanwhile Raikkonen makes a move on Fisichella but it doesn't come off. That said, just a few moments later he's through, as is Michael Schumacher.

However, all eyes are further down the field where Coulthard is involved in an accident with the two williamsF1s - the safety car is brought out.

It's all over for Pizzonia and DC, Webber returns to the pits where his FW27 catches fire. What an absolutely dreadful start for the Grove team.

The field continues behind the safety car with Alonso leading Montoya, Raikkonen, Michael, Fisichella, Button, Klien and Barrichello.