It was fascinating to see how the different newspapers treated the final race of the season, the final race of Michael Schumacher’s career, and the crowning of Fernando Alonso as the youngest ever double champion.
On several papers F1 made a rare intrusion onto the front page. Others apparently preferred the less dignified image of a footballer biting a rival.
But on one thing they were all agreed – Schumacher’s mighty drive was a fitting end to a career of stupefying success.
| Headline | End of Schumacher era as his final title bid failsfront cover Alonso takes title after Schumacher goes down fighting back cover Schumacher flat tyre hands title to Alonso on a plate Young guns primed as Formula One is forced to bite bullet |
| They say | "A gracious and sporting individual, Alonso has most of the qualities inside and outside the car to step up to the big time." |
| We say | As brilliant as Schumacher’s final drive was, Alonso is a deserving champion. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schumacher bows out in Brazil front cover Alonso wins but Schumacher exits in style No place on the podium but Schumacher departs looking like a champion Massa benefits from Bridgestone excellence to join pantheon of Brazilian racing legends |
| They say | "By his [Massa’s] own admission ‘it was perhaps the easiest race of my career’" |
| We say | Words to bring tears to Rubens Barrichello’s eyes. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Alonso holds off Schumacher back cover Alonso holds off brilliant Schumacher to retain title |
| They say | "Oft-criticised, [Schumacher] went out the way he came in with Jordan back in 1991: a hero." |
| We say | Coverage is A1 for quality but lacks quantity – and impact, buried beneath all the regular stuff.. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schumacher goes down fighting front cover In the lap of the gods business section End of the road – Schumacher goes down fighting as Alonso retains F1 title Fate denies Schumacher one final tilt at glory No pipe and slippers in this retirement Gentleman Fangio was the best ever – Sir Stirling Moss |
| They say | “The last sighting of Schumacher was of a racer driving like the wind. What better way to be remembered?" |
| We say | They should have made him started every race from 19th… |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schuey’s dream is over End of the peer, Schu |
| They say | "Schuey’s slim chance of denying Fernando Alonso a second successive crown was effectively ended after just nine laps in Sao Paulo when he got a puncture." |
| We say | All the same, Pat Symonds said he didn’t feel any relief until lap 69 when he realised Schumacher was too far back to pass Alonso. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Alonso is two good back cover Real blow as Schuey bows out |
| They say | "[Schumacher] rolled back the years in a mad, crash-hit and memorable Brazilian Grand Prix that will live long in the memory." |
| We say | It was one of the best of the season. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Exit Schumacher – a fighter to the end back cover Farewell to scrapper Schu |
| They say | "[Alonso] criticised [Renault] earlier this month, but there was no sign of antagonism as he embraced his engineers in the garage. Moaning had been replaced by delirium." |
| We say | I don’t see the need to construe Alonso’s earlier remarks as ‘moaning’. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schumacher bows out |
| They say | "It has never been dull, nor always fair, but it has been fabulous" |
| We say | F1 in a nutshell. |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schumacher DID go out with a bang .. but it was just his tyre exploding Foul-mouthed Kimi’s TV boob |
| They say | "For a season drenched in controversy and, some say, double-dealing and race-fixing, this was a refreshingly pure climax." |
| We say | Will all that change with Schumacher’s retirement? Or will there be the same charges next year?" |
| Verdict |
| Headline | Schumacher reaches the end of the road front cover Schumacher bows out in stirring style back cover Alonso keeps title as Schuey bids farewell Legend signs off Niki lauds Michael |
| They say | "Felipe Massa became the first Brazilian to win his home race since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993." |
| We say | Like Senna, Massa is a Paulista |
| Verdict |
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Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
