Fernando Alonso makes a good start from pole position as the race gets underway on a damp track at Interlagos

Britain's David Coulthard collides with Antonio Pizzonia before they reach the first corner forcing the safety car out

Mark Webber gets caught up in the crash and returns to the pits where mechanics are swift to deal with an engine fire

Alonso knows he will clinch the world title with a podium finish, but he is soon overtaken by Juan Pablo Montoya

The Spaniard briefly drops to sixth after a pit stop, but by the mid-point in the race, he is sitting comfortably in third

Montoya maintains his advantage at the front though and holds off McLaren team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to win

And Alonso cruises home in third place to clinch his first drivers' world championship with two races to spare

The 24-year-old Renault driver becomes the youngest Formula One champion in history, breaking Emerson Fitipaldi's record

And it is a magical moment for the Spaniard when he finally lays his hands on the coveted trophy

Race winner Montoya acknowledges Alonso's achievement from the top step of the podium in Sao Paulo

Alonso's supporters, in his hometown of Oviedo in northern Spain, start the celebrations