Schumacher - title race is over

Michael Schumacher conceded defeat in his quest for an eighth Formula One drivers’ crown after his retirement from the Japanese Grand Prix handed Fernando Alonso a 10-point lead in the standings with just one race to go.

Alonso requires just one point at the Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time to successfully defend his world title while Schumacher would need to win at Interlagos and see the Spaniard fail to finish in the top eight to claim an unlikely victory.