Youngest-ever champion Alonso crowned

Fernando Alonso has become the youngest ever Formula One World Driver’s Champion at the age of 24. He finished third in the Brazilian Grand Prix behind McLaren duo Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen to put the title beyond Raikkonen’s reach with two races remaining.

Alonso, the 27th different champion in the 56 years of the title, broke Emerson Fittipaldi’s 33 year-old record as the youngest ever Formula One champion. His is also the first championship claimed by Renault as a chassis constructor as well as engine manufacturer, atoning for their repeated defeats in the early 1980s.

McLaren’s 1-2 put them in the lead of the constructor’s championship for the first time this year, by two points. Ironically McLaren’s unreliability may have been the most significant factor in destroying Raikkonen’s title hopes.