Alonso praises 'deserving' Kimi.

Dethroned Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has hailed Kimi Raikkonen as a deserving successor to his crown after the Finn scored an unlikely title win in the final round of the 2007 season at Interlagos.

While mathematicians had the scenarios planned before the race, the unlikely occurrence played out when Raikkonen won, Alonso finished third and Lewis Hamilton - who held a four point advantage into the race - could only manage seventh following mechanical dramas.

It meant Raikkonen would come away with the title by just a single point from McLaren duo Alonso and Hamilton, who were tied in second place.

However, while Alonso, who would have needed just one place more to make it three titles in a row, admits he was disappointed not to come away with the championship, he was nonetheless satisfied with his first season with McLaren.

"The result today is of course disappointing but we already knew that it would be difficult starting from fourth to win the race and the Championship today," he reflected.

"I predicted at the start of the season that it was going to be very close and that it would com e down to the race here in Brazil, I just hoped that it would have been in my favour, but that is not the case and I just have to accept that for this year.

"It was a difficult race for me. During the first laps, I thought I was able to match the Ferraris speed; however, when they began pushing they were just too fast. Our car was fast and competitive throughout the year and I won four races. I am still satisfied with this season"

Speaking also to the BBC soon after the race, Alonso claims Raikkonen was the deserved champion in the end, the Finn having won more races than anyone else this season.

"I said many times that whoever has more points at the last race, deserves the championship.

"It's been up and down for everybody but now on the last day, Kimi deserves it," he added