Fernando Alonso Owns the Chinese Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso won last year and Michael Schumacher spun out of the race. Renault will be hoping that history repeats itself on Sunday.

It doesn't seem very long ago that we were heralding the first Chinese Grand Prix and yet here we are anticipating the third. And because Shanghai is a track that nobody tests at, the result of this race is not a foregone conclusion.

The Shang circuit at Shanghai may have marvelous facilities, great overtaking opportunities and a towering grandstand, but it's still a bit like Sepang.

With just two points separating Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso now, there is everything to race for. Three months ago it didn't seem likely. But just as in 2003, Schumacher has had a great deal of help from fortuitous intervention to get back on terms with Alonso. First Alonso's car was banned, then he got mysterious grid deductions in Monza, what can happen next?

Though Renault come into the race talking the big talk and trying to make the most of Michael's misfortunes at the Chinese track in 05, the momentum has still got to be with the Ferrari team. The red cars will be the ones to beat.

True, last year Michael had the kind of grand prix weekend that the worst Formula Ford debutant probably wouldn't endure. On the way to the grid he wasn't looking in his mirrors and sideswiped the innocent Minardi of Albers. In the race he spun out on lap 23 while following the Safety Car.

Those critics who think that Michael Schumacher is not in the same league as Prost, Senna, Moss, Stewart, Clark or Fangio certainly had enough to go on in one race alone.

The other memorable moment from last year was the drain cover that got sucked out of its culvert and put an end to Juan Pablo Montoya's race, when he wrecked his front suspension on it. You can bet that won't happen again.

Fernando Alonso won here last year and will be looking to do the same again. He certainly has the motivation. However Michael has the motivation, too. The most driven F1 driver of his generation will be focusing his formidable powers of concentration on one outcome to the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.

Can Fernando Alonso win the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix? Here are some odds from Bodog.

Michael Schumacher 5/9

Fernando Alonso 3/1

Kimi Raikkonen 5/1