Fernando Alonso has spoken of his delight after he retained the Formula 1 drivers' championship crown after yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

He finished second behind Felipe Massa to seal back-to-back world titles, 13 points clear of Michael Schumacher.

"It's been a great weekend," he said.

"We did it and now I am going to have the biggest party of my life."

"And I have to say that it means more to be the double champion now and win these titles while Michael Schumacher was racing than any other time."

Oxford-based Alonso becomes only the eighth driver in Formula 1 history to win successive titles and the youngest at 25.

The Spaniard headed into yesterday's title decider, needing just one point to be certain of his retaining his world crown.

And he did not disappoint, driving a steady, flawless race at Interlagos as title rival Schumacher ended his glorious 16-year career at the pinnacle of motorsport with fourth after fighting back from an early puncture.

Alonso on his own did enough for the Renault team, who are based in Enstone, to win the constructors' championship from Ferrari, but team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella's sixth place left the final margin at five points.