In Shanghai, World Champion Fernando Alonso dominated the season-closing Grand Prix from start to finish enhancing his top driver status while also handing his Renault team the constructors title in the process.
A clean start in perfect conditions saw the two Renaults leading the McLarens. By half-way, Alonso had built a massive lead with team-mate Fisichella successfully holding off the challenges from Raikkionen and Montoya in second. The latter then badly damaged a front tyre, ultimately leading to his early retirement after the safety car had been brought on. Michael Schumacher suffered the ignominity of spinning off and out of the race during the parade awaiting the re-start! Alonso once more took off in the lead, a position he was not even going to be denied by another stoppage following a spectacular crash by Karghikeyan. Raikkonen did move into second, Ralf Schumacher completing the podium but this has been Alonso and Renault’s season by a distance.
