With the anticipated climax - both to the race and, possibly, the championship - having had the wind taken out of its sails somewhat, the only 'excitement' over the closing stages were spins for Speed and Sakon Yamamoto and the inter-necine battle between
BMW colleagues Heidfeld and Kubica for the final point. After his disappointment at losing fourth in China a week ago, the German was not to be denied this time, holding on to eighth by just 0.9secs after the team gave both drivers free rein to race each other.
Kubica was the last of the unlapped runners, heading home
Nico Rosberg, unable to make anything of his top ten grid slot, and
Rubens Barrichello, who race was ruined by a first lap skirmish with Heidfeld that cost him his front wing. Confined to the back of the field after an early pit-stop, the Brazilian set about putting miles on the latest spec
Honda engine, but will be hoping that he has now used up
all of his bad luck before his home race in two weeks' time.
Despite Schumacher's retirement at Suzuka, both championship remain up for grabs at the season finale, although Alonso only needs to keep out of trouble - and pray for reliability - to confirm himself as a two-time champion. After its 1-3 result in Japan,
Renault now holds a more comfortable nine-point advantage over
Ferrari, allowing Alonso and Fisichella to finish 3-4 behind the red cars and still take the crown.
Further intrigue comes from the fact that Massa will surely want to win on home ground, while Schumacher will want to go out on a high, the crucial fact being that the German now
has to win - and hope that Alonso fails to score - to have any hope of heading into retirement as an eight-time champion.
