 The race was crucial in the fight for the World Championship, as whoever finished ahead of the two would take the championship lead into the final race.On lap 37, after the two rivals had made their final pitstops, Schumacher's engine failed, his first engine failure since the 2000 French Grand Prix, giving the lead to Alonso, who went on to win the race.As a result, he needed only one point from the final race to secure the title.