Spotlightingnews

Renault's Flavio Briatore Warns, Title Not Yet In Pocket

Alonso was struck by luck in the Japanese Grand Prix; Fernando Alonso had his bit of fortune as Michael Schumacher saw his engine break down at Suzuka, in the Japanese Grand Prix., but Briatore still keeps the “heads-up” flag.

Although Fernando Alonso won the Japanese Grand Prix and needs one more point for the driver's cup, and Renault leads by 9, there is still story to be told, as Briatore commented:

"We did a great race and so did they [Ferrari]. It was a fantastic battle between Michael and Fernando, so great respect for them. We'll play for the championship in Brazil, nothing's decided yet.

"This morning it looked like the title was theirs, last Sunday morning it was ours, so let's just talk about the next race in Brazil and that's it. We go to Brazil with all to play for. I don't want to go there thinking we've already won either one title or the other.

"Today it's been very hard for us, and we hadn't had things going our way for some time. This shows there is some justice: we broke an engine in Monza and they broke one here.

"It's fair for the sport because we've equalized the dramas. Therefore it's a great result for Fernando, it's great for the team, and I still feel a bit emotional."

Alonso Was Struck By Luck In The Japanese Grand Prix; Fernando Alonso had his bit of fortune as Michael Schumacher saw his engine break down at Suzuka, in the Japanese Grand Prix.

With a lead of ten points ahead of Ferrari-driver Michael Schumacher, Renault's Fernando Alonso needs just one more point to secure the world title:

"We decided this victory a long time ago. From Hungary we were ready to win and never finished the job. So it was a beautiful surprise, so the taste of victory is even better."

"I had so many problems in the last couple of races. I lost a tire in Hungary, I lost an engine in Monza - sometimes I need to recover these unlucky moments. When I saw the problem of Michael, I was at that point leading the race and I just didn't believe what I was seeing because you don't often see a mechanical problem from a Ferrari. It was the biggest surprise of the race, for sure."

"In China we were the favourites and we lost the race and it was the same thing here for Ferrari. You never know, the races are very long and you have to finish them. Looking at the championship, these 10 points are very important. We all thought the championship would be decided in Brazil. We have a good advantage, so let's try to win the championship. We feel confident for Brazil - but we are taking nothing for granted."