Alonso took over as top driver and Renault as the lead team in the first part of this season. Alonso won six of the first 12 races to accumulate a significant lead in the drivers' standings while Schumacher and Ferrari struggled.
Although Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren rallied over the past two months -- McLaren has won the last five races -- Alonso had enough to clinch the title with a third-place finish in Brazil.
There is practice today on Suzuka's 5.807km circuit. Qualifying is scheduled for tomorrow with Sunday's race set for 53 laps.
Meanwhile, the Japanese race will be the 100th for the BAR-Honda team. Earlier this week, the Honda Motor Co. purchased the 55 percent of the team it did not own from British American Tobacco.
Also, Antonio Pizzonia will finish the season for Williams season since Nick Heidfeld has not recovered sufficiently from a shoulder injury while cycling last month.
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