Its Even!!

Two races left in the Championship and the score is tied at 116! Yes, both Alonso and Schumacher are at 116 points each with Schumi nosing slightly ahead on the basis of more race wins.

The Chinese Grand Prix was full of drama as wet conditions during qualifying gave the cars with Michelin tyres an advantage over their Bridgestone counterparts. The Renaults of Alonso and Fisichella qualified one-two with Schumacher qualifying in a lowly sixth position.

The start of the race was no better as the conditions were wet and windy. Both the Renaults made a quick start and Alonso pulled away from the rest of the pack in no time. Three laps down, it looked as if Alonso was in a different league altogether. Schumacher looked barely in form to challenge him anytime soon. However, the track began drying and Schumacher began putting in some stonking laps. The intermediate Bridgestones began to gain grip and Schumi's lap times went into a free-fall. He made up places and was soon in the third spot behind Alonso and Fischella.

Renault then started playing the team game with Alonso allowing a faster Fisichella to overtake him while he held back Schumacher. Alonso then "overtook" Fisichella to regain the top spot. Isn't this going against the spirit of Formula One, an accusation Renault has often leveled against Ferrari. Schumacher had nothing to do with it and managed to overtake both the Renaults to take the lead. Alonso looked like he was really struggling and the Renault pit crew messed things up further.

Finally, the German crossed the chequered flag to bring up the 91st Grand Prix victory of his career and drew level with Alonos in the Drivers' Championship. Alonso finished second whereas Fisichella finished third. Ferrari's second driver Felipe Massa failed to finish the race after a collision forced him to retire.

The Japanese Grand Prix is next with both Alonso and Schumacher tied at 116 points and Renault just one point ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship. Over to Suzuka for the penultimate race of the season and also of Schumacher's racing career.