Date:29/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/29/stories/2006092905022200.htm

Sport - Racing : Motor

Driver's title hots up

Shanghai : The duel between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher is heating up both on and off the track entering this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, the third-to-last race of the most closely contested season.

In his final season, Schumacher, the seven-time Formula One champion, has narrowed defending champion Alonso's lead in the driver standings to just two points, 108-106.

Alonso, who went out with an overheated engine in the Italian GP, had some heated words concerning his penalty in qualifying for blocking Ferrari's other driver, Felipe Massa.

Rift widens

In the days after the race, Alonso broadened the growing rift between him and Schumacher when he told a Spanish radio station that the German ``is the man with the most sanctions and the most unsporting driver in the history of Formula One.''

``That doesn't take away from the fact that he has been the best driver and it has been an honour and pleasure to battle against him,'' Alonso added, apparently trying to soften the criticism.

But Alonso was still fuming about the five-spot penalty he was given to drop from fifth to 10th at the Italian GP.

``No one is going to believe the penalty I was given for a long time to come,'' Alonso said.

Schumacher has not commented publicly on Alonso's remarks, preferring to focus on the last three races of his career.

``We will be going all out in the final races and we will see what the season has in store for us,'' said the seven-time champion. ``We have every chance of taking the title, though, in my opinion, it will be tough.''

Poor record

Schumacher can't be a big fan of the Chinese track where he had suffered spins, freak crashes and tire blowouts. He came 12th in 2004 and finished dead last in 2005.

``It is true that this race has not been the best for me,'' Schumacher said on his website.

Alonso, meanwhile, has found favour at the 5.451-km Shanghai International Circuit, winning last year to clinch the Constructor's crown for Renault.

Two races earlier, the then-24-year-old had wrapped up the driver's title in Brazil, becoming the youngest driver to win the season's driving title.

``It's one of the circuits that I enjoy. I have fantastic memories from last year, when we won the Constructors' championship,'' Alonso said. — AP