Alonso encouraged by overwhelming support

The Spanish driver, who earlier today said he did not consider Formula One to be a sport anymore, believes the FIA is trying to help Michael Schumacher win an eighth title.

"Not only me," said Alonso when asked in the FIA was helping Schumacher. "Everybody here thinks the same, and the only thing that encourages me is the support I'm getting from everybody.

"Seeing the track marshals cheering and applauding me, telling me to beat the Ferraris, the Italian press saying it's a robbery, that motivates me, but it's no consolation," Alonso told Spanish television on the grid for the Italian Grand Prix.

"I feel shame. I'm embarrassed by this sport. This is probably the most embarrassing moment in modern sporting history, what's happening this year," added Alonso, referring to the penalty he got in Hungary and the FIA's decision to ban Renault's mass damper system.

The Spaniard, leading Schumacher by 12 points with four races to go, still believes he will win the title.

"These decisions will not determine the championship," Alonso said. "I think we will be superior in the final three races of the season. I think the title will be ours, but the shame will still be there."

Alonso was also supported by some of his peers, with Williams drive Mark Webber telling ITV the decision was "ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous."

Toyota's Jarno Trulli echoed the sentiments, saying there is a need to review these kind of penalties.

ITV commentators and former F1 drivers Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell have both slammed the decision as well, saying Alonso was "cheated".