The 2006
Formula One season finally draws to a close after seven-and-a-half months of fluctuating fortunes, not least for the two men left standing with a chance of the world championship.
For the second time in three years, Interlagos, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, plays host to the season finale but, this time does so with all to play for, both in the drivers' championship and that for the constructors, although only two drivers and two constructors remain in with a shout of glory.
Fernando Alonso heads back to Brazil poised to take the crown, as he did three races from the end last year, while Renault holds a slim advantage over
Ferrari in the teams' competition. The venue, however, provides the perfect setting for drama, with its undulating layout and unpredictable weather conditions, and copuld yet throw one final twist into the plot.
Ironically, the championship scenario remains exactly as it was heading to Suzuka, with Schuamcher needing a win, with his rival not scoring, to clinch the crown - and even then on countback of victories across the season. The German's retirement in Japan has swung the initiative back in Alonso's favour, however, as the Renault man now needs just a single point to take back-to-back titles.
In teh constructors' championship,
Renault's nine-point advantage is easier to overturn, but the
regie would need 'only' to finish third and fourth to counteract a Ferrari 1-2. That, of course, puts greater pressure on Alonso to race for position, rather than settling for the eighth place that he would need for his own glory, and also ignores the fact that
McLaren will be hoping to end the year with a win, and
Honda will be looking to get both
Jenson Button and, perhaps more importantly,
Rubens Barrichello onto the podium.
