I Could Have Won, Says Alonso

Spaniard Fernando Alonso was bitterly disappointed after retiring from the Japanese Grand Prix while running in second place.

The Renault driver succumbed to an engine problem on lap 17, and claimed he could have fought for victory if not for his retirement.

"It's a big disappointment to retire: I was fighting for the victory, and we were probably going to make one less stop than Rubens," said Alonso. "We have had a great season, but the opportunity was there to win at the last race, and it's not a nice feeling to lose it."

Alonso was fighting for fourth place in the drivers' standings, but had to settle for sixth position following Rubens Barrichello's win.

The Spaniard's teammate Jarno Trulli, on the other hand, was delighted with his fifth position after taking the start from the back of the grid.

"A fantastic race for me: we didn't expect to score points after starting at the back, and if it hadn't been for the traffic after my second stop, I could have finished fourth," said Trulli. "I want to thank the team, who gave me a strong car all weekend.

"The real damage was done on Saturday, when I could have got pole if it hadn't rained. We proved during the race that we were quick enough to fight at the front."