Highlights

Schumacher concedes title after Alonso triumphs

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

Fisichella dedicated his third place to his best friend, Tonino Visciani, who died on Thursday.

Briton Jenson Button finished fourth for Honda on their home track in the 20th and final Japanese Grand Prix to be run at the sprawling figure-of-eight Suzuka International Circuit.

Finn Kimi Raikkonen, last year's winner, fought off illness to finish fifth for McLaren Mercedes-Benz ahead of Italian Jarno Trulli and his Toyota team-mate Ralf Schumacher. Fellow-German Nick Heidfeld finished eighth for BMW Sauber.

Schumacher waved to the crowd after parking his Ferrari at the side of the track. After returning to the team garage, he said: "Our team is great -- the boys are the best I know. I'm very satisfied with all our mechanics and engineers in Ferrari.

"That's racing. You win and lose together. Today we all tried hard, we were first but lost the engine. That's Formula One. I'm not very disappointed.

"Life and racing is like this. We must be very proud of the work we've done, because in Canada we were 25 points behind, and no-one thought we'd come back. Now we are here, nine points behind in the constructors'."

Alonso could not hide his delight at the result which takes him to the brink of defending his world championship crown.

"I had so many problems in the last races. I lost a race in Hungary. I lost an engine in Monza, so for sure I had to recover some lucky moment and when I did I didn't believe what I was seeing! To see a mechanical problem for a Ferrari car is not something that happens often."

Alonso delivered a typical exuberant victory dance after climbing from his car and then went to salute his team while forlorn Ferrari stood and watched. "Victory means a lot, not only for me but the team as well," he said.