25/09/2005
NEWS STORY
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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.
The safety car pulls off and they're away, Alonso makes a slight mistake and Montoya is quick to take advantage, passing him on the back straight. The Renault was no match for the McLaren.
Klien is all over Button, the BAR really struggling. There's a whole train forming behind the two.
Montoya posts a fastest lap (13.959), as he builds a lead of 2.3s over Alonso. Raikkonen is just 0.4s behind the Spaniard.
The 'train' behind Button includes Klien, Barrichello, Ralf, Massa, Sato, Karthikeyan and Trulli.
Alonso hits back with a 1:13.746 however Montoya responds almost instantly with a 1:13.160.
The Colombian continues to set a blistering pace, posting another fastest lap (13.002) on lap 8.
Fisichella has got back past Michael, as Button continues to lead the 'BAR Express'. At the back of the field, Villeneuve and Monteiro are enjoying a great scrap for sixteenth.
With 10 laps completed, Montoya leads by 4.1s, as Fisichella closes in on Raikkonen.
The one to watch right now is Sato, who has worked his way up to eleventh, having started from the back of the field. Elsewhere, Massa is all over Ralf.
Fisichella loses ground to Raikkonen as the Finn remains around 2.5s behind his championship rival.
On lap 17, Alonso posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 1:12.827, while Raikkonen posts a very respectable 1:13.044. Elsewhere, Felipe Massa is the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop. He rejoins the race behind his teammate, who is harassing Doornbos.
Karthikeyan pits, but it's a long one, consequently he rejoins in seventeenth, last.
Lap 21 and Montoya posts 1:12.824, but moments later Alonso crosses the line at 1:12.653.
The Renault mechanics are in the pitlane… sure enough Fernando pulls in. His front tyre pressures are adjusted, but nonetheless 8.1s later he's off back to work. He rejoins in sixth, ahead of Klien and Barrichello.
Next time around, Fisichella pits, as does Barrichello.
With 24 laps completed, Montoya leads Raikkonen by 5.5s, with Michael third, ahead of Button, Alonso and Klien, who pits.
Michael goes quickest in the second sector, the German having a good race. At the end of lap 26 he pits, as does Button. Meanwhile, Alonso has a moment as he tries to pass a Minardi.
Michael returns to the track and is immediately plunged into a head-to-head with Fisichella, the German wins.
At the end of lap 28, Montoya pits, rejoining the race in second, a very strong performance from the McLarens.
Raikkonen leads his teammate, with Alonso third, ahead of Michael, Fisichella and Sato, who has yet to stop.
A new fastest lap, this time from Raikkonen, who crosses the line at 1:12.268.
Button is running in seventh, ahead of Trulli, who has yet to stop, Barrichello, Klien and Ralf. Meanwhile, Webber has returned to the race - 25 laps down - in an effort to secure a better qualifying slot in Japan.
At the end of lap 31, it's Kimi that pits - 10 seconds later he returns to the track behind Montoya.
At the end of lap 32, Trulli finally pits, from ninth.
34 laps completed and Montoya leads his teammate by 2s. Alonso is 9.8s behind the Finn, with Michael fourth, ahead of Fisichella, Sato, Button, Barrichello, Klien and Ralf. The Japanese driver is the only driver that hasn't stopped.
There's thick smoke coming out of the back of Doornbos' Minardi as he heads into the pits.
Button is under intense pressure from Barrichello, who will of course partner the Englishman at BAR next year.
If it continues like this it's all over, as Alonso has the six points he needs. That said, we know that Renault would love the win.
Sato finally pits at the end of lap 37. He rejoins in tenth, ahead of Trulli.
As Raikkonen closes to within 1.5s of Montoya, the silver cars cut through the backmarkers - who include the Saubers and Toyota, like a hot knife through butter.
It's so frustrating for Barrichello as he struggles to find a way past the mobile chicane that is Button's BAR. The other decent fight is for tenth, with Trulli and Massa all over Sato.
Barrichello finally gets past Button at the Senna 'S', the Ferrari immediately heading off into the distance.
After 45 laps, it's Montoya, Raikkonen, Alonso, Michael, Fisichella, Barrichello, Button, Klien, Ralf and Sato. The Japanese driver still under pressure from Trulli and Massa.
At the end of lap 47, Massa makes his second stop. Next time around it's Fernando Alonso that stop, just 23 laps before his date with destiny. Next time around it's Fisichella that stops.
The Italian rejoins ahead of Barrichello, who pits next time around. The Ferrari slithers to a stop, causing consternation amongst the Maranello mechanics.
At the end of lap 53, Montoya makes his second stop of the afternoon. 6.2s later he's off down the pitlane, in hot pursuit of his teammate. Michael also pits, as does Trulli. Klien and Webber - yes, he's still there - also pit.
Button and Villeneuve both pit at the end of lap 55.
Raikkonen, who still has to stop, leads Montoya by 17s, with Alonso third, a further 24s behind. Michael is fourth ahead of Fisichella, Ralf and Barrichello. Button is eighth, ahead of Klien, Sato, Massa, Villeneuve, Trulli and Monteiro. However, it's rotten luck for the Portuguese driver, who pulls to the side of the track, clearly about to lose his 100% finish record.
At the end of lap 59, Raikkonen pits. 5.8s later he's heading off down the pitlane, exiting just behind his teammate.
Although the Drivers' Championship would appear to be lost, the fight for the Constructors' Championship is still very much on.
The two silver and black cars run together, Ron Dennis keeping a watching eye. The last thing he needs is for his two boys to trip over one another.
Other than the McLaren 'battle', the only other real fight involves Villeneuve and Trulli for twelfth.
After 63 laps, it's: Montoya, Raikkonen, Alonso, Michael, Fisichella, Barrichello, Button, Ralf, Klien and Sato. Elsewhere, Villeneuve and Trulli have caught up with Massa and are pushing him hard.
Alonso is lapping in the 1:13s as the two McLarens are running in the mid 1:14s.
Montoya has lapped everyone up to Button (seventh), but he is unlikely to catch sixth-placed Barrichello.
The Colombian takes the flag, with teammate Raikkonen hot on his heels. However, all eyes are on the youngster in the blue and yellow car who is still heading up the hill. He finally crosses the line… we have a new World Champion.
On the pit wall, Flavio Briatore is clearly overcome with emotion - he's seen, and done it all before - but this time it has to be a little bit special. What he did with Michael, Benetton and Ford (and thence Renault) was superb, but this is historic.
Michael Schumacher takes fourth following a strong, though largely unseen performance that must give the team a little hope for Japan and China.
Fisichella finishes fifth, which is sure to disappoint his team. He gave a great performance in qualifying, securing third on the grid despite being last out, but never really feature in today's race, and if Renault is to do the double it needs both drivers up there.
Rubens Barrichello takes a strong fifth, under the circumstances, ahead of Button, who will be hoping for a straightline speed improvement for Japan. Ralf Schumacher takes the final point, finishing eighth, ahead of Klien, Sato, Massa, Villeneuve, Trulli, Albers and Karthikeyan.
Various message boards and forums are sure to be buzzing over the next few days as fans suggest that Alonso cruised to the title, however, the fact is that to finish first, first you have to finish - not to be Finnish - and the fact is that both he and his car have been very, very reliable and sensible this season. Based on recent evidence we might feel that Kimi is the real fighter, but Fernando is no slouch, and from here on in he can only get better.
What Formula One really needs is for Ferrari to get its act together and for Michael to take on the young pretenders in 2006. Now that would be something.
In the meantime let's simply celebrate the talent that is Fernando Alonso.
The King is dead - so to speak - long live the (young) King.