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Schumacher blows engine and chances for title

In his last year on the tour, chasing his eighth Formula One championship, Michael Schumacher is trailing 10 points behind Fernando Alonso with one race left. The two drivers entered Saturday`s race tied after an incredible comeback by the German, winning five of the last seven races before Saturday. But when his engine blew in the 37th lap at Suzuka, so did his chances to win the championship.

?For me the championship is over,? Schumacher said. ?I have to say clearly I don?t really believe in the championship anymore.? Theoretically, he still has a chance of winning the championship, but these chances rely on the leader and reigning world champion Alonso dropping out in a similar incident. Schumacher admits this will not be the way he would want to win.

The Japanese Grand Prix was the last race before the season finale at the Brazilian GP on October 22. Renault?s Alonso is leading Ferrari`s Schumacher 126-116 in the standings. Schumacher will retire at the end of the year with the most wins in Formula One history, 91 or 92, depending on the next race, and with what is estimated at almost one billion dollars in income from racing and advertising.