Title showdown: it comes down to this...

Whatever the outcome of today's season finale at Brazil, the 2007 season will go into the history books as a watershed year, packed with drama, triumphs and bitter agonies.

"It's been a great season for McLaren," team chief Ron Dennis, whose outfit could clinch their first drivers' championship since 1999, said at Interlagos.

"Things have happened this year that we're not happy with, but we've got competitive racing cars. Overall, I think it's been very positive I just hope there's no more controversy and we can have a good race.

"And then we start to focus on next year."

Before the season is officially over, though, here's a look at the progression of the title battle between the contenders in the first final race three-way showdown since 1986.

Australia

Kimi Raikkonen wins from pole position on his debut for Ferrari, McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso is second and Hamilton third on his race debut.

Raikkonen 10 points, Alonso 8, Hamilton 6

Malaysia

Alonso chalks up his first win for McLaren, Hamilton secures the one-two and Raikkonen is third. Alonso regains the lead.

Alonso 18, Raikkonen 16, Hamilton 14

Bahrain

Brazilian Felipe Massa wins for Ferrari, Hamilton is second and Raikkonen third while Alonso comes in fifth. There is a three-way tie at the top.

Alonso 22, Raikkonen 22, Hamilton 22

Spain

Massa wins again with Hamilton second and beating Alonso into third in front of the champion's home fans. Hamilton takes the lead. Raikkonen does not finish.

Hamilton 30, Alonso 28, Raikkonen 22

Monaco

Alonso reasserts himself in a controversial McLaren one-two, with Hamilton complaining that he is the second string driver. Raikkonen is eighth.

Alonso 38, Hamilton 38, Raikkonen 23

Canada

Hamilton takes the first win of his Formula One career while Alonso finishes seventh and Raikkonen fifth.

Hamilton 48, Alonso 40, Raikkonen 27

United States

Hamilton wins again from pole position, Alonso is second and Raikkonen fourth.

Hamilton 58, Alonso 48, Raikkonen 32

France

Raikkonen returns to winning form in a Ferrari one-two. Hamilton is third and Alonso seventh.

Hamilton 64, Alonso 50, Raikkonen 42

Britain

Raikkonen makes it two in a row, Alonso gets his revenge over Hamilton by beating him to second place in front of the rookie's home fans.

Hamilton 70, Alonso 58, Raikkonen 52

Germany

Alonso wins, Hamilton fails to score in ninth place and ends his run of nine races on the podium. Raikkonen retires.

Hamilton 70, Alonso 68, Raikkonen 52

Hungary

The big bust-up of the season, with Alonso demoted from pole to fifth after impeding Hamilton in qualifying. Hamilton wins, Raikkonen is second and Alonso fourth.

Hamilton 80, Alonso 73, Raikkonen 60

Turkey

Massa returns to winning form, Raikkonen is second and Alonso third. Hamilton comes in fifth.

Hamilton 84, Alonso 79, Raikkonen 68

Italy

Alonso claws back two points with a McLaren one-two. Raikkonen is third.

Hamilton 92, Alonso 89, Raikkonen 74

Belgium

Raikkonen wins, Alonso is third and Hamilton fourth.

Hamilton 97, Alonso 95, Raikkonen 84

Japan

Hamilton chalks up his fourth win of the season in a hammer blow for Alonso, who crashes out. Raikkonen is third.

Hamilton 107, Alonso 95, Raikkonen 90

China

Alonso got the miracle he wanted, with Hamilton skidding out on worn tyres as he pitted for the second time. Raikkonen chalked up Ferrari's 200th Grand Prix win.

Hamilton 107, Alonso 103, Raikkonen 100