Japanese Grand Prix 2006 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Fernando Alonso clinched his second consecutive World Championship in the most dramatic fashion at the Japanese Grand Prix, inheriting victory after Michael Schumacher's Ferrari suffered a devastating engine failure while leading at Suzuka. The German legend's retirement on lap 37 ended his hopes of an unprecedented eighth world title in the cruelest manner imaginable, handing Alonso an unassailable points lead with one race remaining and ensuring Schumacher's glittering career would end without the fairy-tale finale he had seemed destined to achieve.

The race unfolded as a tense strategic battle, with Felipe Massa starting from pole position but Schumacher quickly taking control and building a commanding lead. The seven-time champion appeared to be cruising to the victory that would take the title fight to the final race in Brazil, when suddenly his Ferrari's V8 engine exploded in a cloud of smoke. Schumacher coasted to a halt, his championship hopes evaporating in an instant. The German sat in his stricken car, absorbing the crushing disappointment of seeing his final chance at glory destroyed by mechanical failure. It was a heartbreaking end to one of F1's greatest championship challenges.

Alonso inherited the lead and controlled the race to the checkered flag, also setting the fastest lap to secure his second world title with a race to spare. The Spaniard's championship triumph was vindication of his consistency throughout the season - while Schumacher had won more races, Alonso's ability to score points even when not the fastest had proven decisive. Massa finished second for Ferrari, unable to salvage the constructor's championship hopes, while Giancarlo Fisichella completed the podium for Renault. Alonso's coronation at Suzuka was bittersweet - he had driven brilliantly all season, but Schumacher's mechanical failure denied fans the championship showdown they craved. The title was decided, but one race remained for Schumacher's emotional farewell.