[formula one] alonso takes japan

Defending drivers world champion Fernando Alonso celebrated like a man possessed today after he moved within a point of retaining his title by winning the Japanese Grand Prix. It was his first victory in eight races since the Canadian Grand Prix in June, his seventh win this year and the 15th of his career. Michael Schumacher's Ferrari suffered an engine failure. "Then it was completely a surprise when I saw what happened to Michael. Ferrari don't have many mechanical problems, so that was a big surprise for me. Alonso now leads Schumacher by 10 points in the drivers' standings and they are level on seven wins apiece this season. Schumacher can only claim an unprecedented eighth crown if he wins and Alonso fails to score a point in Sao Paulo.