Briatore Welcomes 'Extraordinary' Result

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen finished second, with the Mercedes-powered team's hopes draining away when Colombian team team mate Juan Pablo Montoya had to retire before the halfway stage.

The victory was the seventh of a phenomenal season for the 24-year-old Alonso, who became the sport's youngest champion in Brazil last month.

The Championship was also Renault's first as a constructor and, arriving in China with a two-point lead, they could breathe easy for most of a race interrupted by two safety car periods.

"It's a great satisfaction to get this one-two: Drivers' and Constructors' Championship after four years since we created this team," Briatore said on Italian television.

"I think it's something extraordinary."

McLaren's hopes vanished when Montoya, following Raikkonen in fourth place, ran over a damaged drain cover and retired on lap 25 after two pit stops.

Renault were still made to sweat when Giancarlo Fisichella, who finished fourth behind Toyota's Ralf Schumacher, collected a drive-through penalty for obstructive driving on the pit entry with six laps to go.

Briatore praised the Italian for his drive.

"Fisichella today had the best race of his life," he said. "He did everything he had to do. He made up for all the criticism he got - people always open their mouths when they shouldn't - so I thank him for the work he's done and the whole team.

"The team has been exceptional and Alonso made the difference."