F1 Battle for supremacy

This year’s F1 title race is gripped by an epic battle between two fierce rivals, says neil clark

This year's enthralling duel between reigning world champion Fernando Alonso and seven-times winner Michael Schumacher has led some to draw parallels with the epic battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda 30 years ago. But whereas Hunt and Lauda were close friends off the track, what gives this year's contest extra spice is the antipathy between the protagonists.
Alonso has labelled his rival "the most unsporting driver in Formula 1 history" and is still smarting over Schumacher's controversial manoeuvre in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, when he stopped his car at the Rascasse hairpin. Schumacher claimed he had made a mistake, but to Alonso it appeared a deliberate move by the German to prevent his rivals from beating his lap time.

The bad blood between Schumacher and Alonso is reflected in the ever-worsening 'cold war' between their respective teams. Ferrari boss Jean Todt has accused Alonso and his Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella of using "blocking tactics" in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Schumacher overtaking in last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. Renault feel aggrieved at the controversial decision to penalise Alonso at Monza for allegedly interfering with the qualifying effort of Felipe Massa, Schumacher's team-mate, even though he was well ahead at the time.
Alonso has now hit out at his own team, claiming that "a handful of people don't want me to take No 1 to McLaren". Alonso has signed to join the British-based outfit next season and if he does win this year's title, he will be the first driver in nine years to take the coveted 'No 1' logo to a new team.
This weekend the circus moves to Japan, for the penultimate Grand Prix. Schumacher and Alonso are level on points and Renault one point ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' rankings. Expect fireworks.

The First Post.

The reference to 'blocking tactics' has me a tiny bit mystified - surely when Alonso was in the lead it was a legitimate manoeuvre for him to keep ahead of Schumacher?