Alonso launches Schumacher attack

Alonso is still hopeful of retaining his world title this season

World champion Fernando Alonso has criticised Michael Schumacher following the German's annoucement that he is to retire from Formula One.

"Michael is the most unsporting driver with the largest number of sanctions in the history of Formula One," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"That doesn't take away from the fact that he has been the best driver.

"It has been an honour and pleasure to battle against him but things will be more equal now."

Alonso, who leads Schumacher by two points at the top of the drivers' championship, also attacked what he saw as bias in favour of Schumacher and his Ferrari team.

"In Formula One there are commercial and political interests," he said.

"We are talking about the most successful driver in history and a little bit of help has never gone amiss. Quite often they go over the line of what is acceptable and it is inexplicable."

Alonso was demoted five places to 10th on the starting grid for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after stewards ruled that the Spaniard had impeded Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa.

The Renault driver, who was adamant he had not blocked Massa, failed to finish the race because of an engine failure and was angry at the penalty.

"No one is going to believe the penalty I was given for a long time to come," Alonso said.

"The excuse they gave was far from honest. It isn't good for our sport."