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Sao Paulo, Oct 24:  Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher ran out of luck in the final race weekend of his glittering Formula One career.

Needing a victory to keep his title chances alive, Schumacher had mechanical problems both in qualifying and in the race at Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix. He still finished fourth.

Massa, Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, won the race from the pole in front of an adoring home crowd at Interlagos. Honda's Jenson Button was third.

Fernando Alonso successfully retained the Formula One championship when he was second to Felipe Massa in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Schumacher's problem made things easier for Alonso, who started in fourth place but moved up to second halfway through the 71-lap race.

Glorious career

Ferrari fans gathered at Formula One race team headquarters in Mara-nello to celebrate the end of Michael Schumacher's glorious F1 career.

The main square of the town hosting Ferrari's factory was crowded with hundreds of people watching the Interlagos Grand Prix of Brazil on a big screen.

Schumacher said his fans were immensely important to him and that they gave him confidence at times where things weren't going that well.

Chances of victory

The Ferrari driver, retiring after a 16-year career, moved from 10th to seventh position on the first lap, but a flat left-rear tire entering the ninth lap shattered his chances of victory.

He had just passed sixth-placed Giancarlo Fisichella on the outside of turn 1 when the tire blew, forcing him to slowly return to the pits.

He changed tires and returned to the track in 18th place, more than a minute behind race leader and teammate Felipe Massa and out of contention barely 15 minutes into the race.

Schumacher eventually moved into the top 10 midway through the 71-lap race, but wasn't able to move past fourth place.

The tire problem opened the way for Fernando Alonso's second consecutive title at the Brazilian GP.

Schumacher, who retires from Formula One with 91 victories and 68 pole positions, all series records, entered the weekend admitting the drivers' title was practically out of reach, and that his focus was on the constructors' race.

Greatest ever

Schumacher holds the world record for the most championship titles, having won seven.

In fact, he won five consecutive ones from 2000 to 2004. His 91 race wins and 154 podium finishes are also unmatched.

A measure of his greatness is provided by his tally of 1354 championship points, which is almost twice that of former greats Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, who are the next highest point-winners.

He also holds the record for the most pole positions in the history of formula one, at 68.

Another feat to his name is a podium place after every race in a single season. He managed that all 17 times four years ago. His 13 wins from 18 races in 2004 is another record that looks set to stand for many years to come.