Motorsport: Constructors' crown is all that's left for Japanese Grand Prix

With Fernando Alonso settling into his new role as the youngest F1 champion ever, the only real interest in tonight's Japanese Grand Prix is the constructors' championship and manoeuvres and machinations for next year.

Alonso's Renault may have earned him the drivers' crown but Renault as a team are trailing the fast-finishing, fastest-moving McLarens, who could take the championship if they continue to weld reliability to their undoubted speed. McLaren, powered by Mercedes, can win the constructors' championship at the Suzuka course in Japan if they score 16 points more than Renault.

Possible, yes, likely, no, although McLaren have had five successive wins before Suzuka. McLaren's hopes were dented when Kimi Raikkonen suffered an engine failure in opening practice for the Grand Prix. That will cost Raikkonen 10 places on the starting grid, leaving the Finn with a tough task despite the evident superiority of his car in recent races.

Alonso, who hasn't won since Hockenheim in July, insists he can put the euphoria of a title win out of his mind.

"I believe that we have been the best in this 2005 season, and I will be working at full power now, with [team-mate] Giancarlo [Fisichella], to win the constructors' title too. I think we can do it."

Meanwhile Japan's interest in F1 is heightening with the estimated $135 million purchase of the BAR team by Honda. Honda are intent on winning the world title and will go to great lengths to achieve it before their great rivals, Toyota. They have purchased the majority shareholding of tobacco giant British American Tobacco, which is stubbing out its interest in motor racing with the ban on cigarette advertising coming into force next year.

Honda have already secured highly promising British driver Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher's partner at Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello, to form a team that could give the established players a real shake.

Honda will supply engines to an as yet unidentified second team. This will be a new team and will allow Takuma Sato to retain a Formula One drive. However, Sato has also been spoken of as one of Japan's A1 GP drivers, particularly when the F1 season ends in three weeks and, either way, Japan seems likely to be playing an even bigger part in world motor racing soon.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY