Alonso remains cautious

Fernando Alonso is refusing to celebrate defending his Formula One world title despite Michael Schumacher conceding defeat following the Japanese Grand Prix.

Alonso won after an engine failure forced Schumacher to retire - a result that moves the Spaniard 10 points clear at the top of the drivers' standings with just one race remaining. That leaves the Renault ace needing to score just a single point at Brazil in two weeks' time to record back-to-back championship triumphs.

"It was a complete surprise for us," said Alonso. "But the same thing can happen in Brazil and you lose everything so, as we thought, the championship will be decided in Brazil."

He added: "Now we only need to win a few points and this becomes a little easier, but you need to finish the race and this is sometimes unfortunately not the case.

"You never know what is going to happen in the race. We need to go there and have maximum concentration, maximum professionalism and try to do it."