In Brazil 2005, Fernando Alonso took his first world championship under cloudy skies, and the glittering silver confetti never quite sparkled as it rained down onto the podium. But on Sunday afternoon in Sao Paulo the story was quite different, as the sun beamed down on the young Spaniard who had just become the youngest double world champion in history – and the silver confetti glittered as it soared on the breeze.

The race proved a thrilling end to a compelling championship – and Fernando certainly finished it in style. As he closed his visor on the grid, ahead of the race of his life, his race engineer Rod Nelson gave his usual words of encouragement for the final time: "Muy Buena Suerte". The, 71 tense laps later it was Fernando's turn to talk to the team.

"Thank you, merci à tous, you have done a fantastic job," crackled the team radio as the R26 cruised back to the pits. "This is my last race with you guys, this was the final race, and we have won both championships again. Thank you for all these years, it has been a pleasure for me to work with you and to have this success, and I wish you the best for the future."

It came from the heart and definitely left its mark, on everyone….