World champion Fernando Alonso has crashed out of a rain-drenched Japanese Grand Prix, in what could prove to be a pivotal moment in his title fight with Lewis Hamilton.
The Spaniard dropped his McLaren at the 120mph exit of turn five on lap 42 and smashed into the outside wall, before coming to a rest in the middle of the circuit.
Hamilton was leading the race ahead of Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber, while Alonso was running behind Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel in fourth place. ITV.com
Hamilton could now clinch the world title with victory at the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend, but Alonso has not given up hope of catching the rookie driver with two races to go.
“We have to try doing the maximum and try to win both races, now more than ever, and maybe even with less pressure because we only need to race and wait for a miracle, a retirement from our rival, so maybe I can race more relaxed now. “
McLaren team owner Ron Dennis praised both his drivers despite their contrasting fortunes in Japan. He said: “Lewis just did what he had to do when he had to do it.
“Fernando did a very good job, he was really keeping it together and he’s very disappointed. There’s still along way to go but it’s going very well. ” Vicki Hodges, Telegraph.co
Alonso was already struggling after being hit by Torro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel when he skidded off the slippery track, leaving his McLaren stranded on the circuit with debris all around it.
“I’m not throwing in the towel, but unless there is a retirement from Hamilton we have to be realistic and see that it’s very hard to recover six points per race, ” said Alonso.
“It means winning the two remaining races and expecting him to finish fifth or sixth, so realistically it’s very complicated and we’ll need a retirement from him and he hasn’t had any this year, but maybe it will come in the last two races. ” AFP
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