In what could only be described as an exclamation point at the end of a flawless season, Michael Schumacher finished Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the rest of the field. The first place finish for Schumacher, combined with Johnny Herbert's third place, clinched the Constructors Championship for the Benetton team and brought a halt to the dominance of the Williams team for the last three years.

At the start, the field, all running on wet tires, was lead away by the newly crowned World Champion, with Alesi and Hakkinen following close behind. Exiting turn one, Japan's Taki Inoue spun, forcing the field behind to dart left and right to avoid the spinning Arrows. Japan has one of the strongest Formula One markets in the world, with no restrictions on tobacco advertising and the leftover popularity of the McLaren-Honda dominance of the late 80's and early 90's, yet one wonders if the Japanese drivers have any place racing in Formula One. It is clear they would have little chance to sit in an F1 car were it not for the money they bring to a team or the pressure that Japanese engine manufacturers, such as Mugen-Honda or Yamaha, place on the users of their engines. From time to time, Katayama has been mildly impressive with the Tyrrell-Yamaha, but Suzuki and Inoue are seldom anything more than "moving chicanes." An ideal example is this years Italian GP. A big portion of the blame for the incident involving Hill and Schumacher can be laid at Hill's feet, but the simple fact is that Inoue, and any of the backmarkers, should go out of their way to let the leaders through.

A few laps into the race and it was revealed that both Alesi and Berger would receive ten-second stop and go penalties for jumping the start. At first it seemed that the Ferrari team is quickly eliminated from any chance of a win, but shortly after receiving his punishment, Alesi, having pitted for slicks, emerged as the quickest man on the track, lapping 5 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Even a spin while trying to pass Pedro Lamy did little to stop Alesi from clawing his way up through the field... quickly disposing of Hill, and setting his sights on the leading car of Michael Schumacher. It seemed inevitable that there would soon be a another Schumacher-Alesi battle, and Alesi could possibly get revenge on Schumacher for the pass at Nurburgring that cost him the win and all but awarded Schumacher the championship. But, as everyone has seen time and time again, it is simply impossible to drive a Ferrari in the manner that Alesi does when he is on fire. Sure enough, just as he was closing in on Schumacher, the Ferrari V12 let go. Undoubtedly, somewhere within Alesi's history in Formula One there lies am ironic reference to the Tortoise and the Hare. Alesi seemed nice enough about it, even graciously helping the stewards to move his car at one point.

Alesi's post-retirement behavior of late is a stark contrast to the Alesi who last year, after retiring from the Italian GP while leading, climbed out of the Ferrari and threw his gloves at it. Under similar circumstances this year, Alesi simply elected to calmly sit on the pit wall. Maybe Alesi knows something about the Ferrari that Schumacher doesn't and is content to know that he won't have to drive it again after this year.

After the retirement of both Ferraris, Berger having pulled his car into the garage for retirement, it looked certain that Hill and Coulthard would finish 2nd and 3rd respectively -- keeping Williams's Constructor's Championship hopes alive. But, as if to punctuate the end of their dismal season in the same way that Benetton seemed to be punctuating their glorious one, Hill went off at Spoon corner, which had become slick from the result of a light shower. Hill drove his way around the sandtrap and looked ready to continue in the points after pitting for a new nose. The Spoon continued to claim victims with Blundell and Frentzen going off at nearly the same spot as Hill. Shortly after, Coulthard followed suit and ended up looking more suited for Baja than Formula One as he made his way back out of the sandtrap. As with Hill, it appeared that Coulthard would have no trouble continuing as he resumed racing speed. But, under breaking for the corner, Coulthard's sidepods emptied a considerable amount of sand onto the track and Coulthard spun his rear wheels on his own sand and went skipping across the sandtrap into retirement. Hill's troubles were not over yet either, he was to receive a 10 second stop and go penalty for speeding in the pit lane, but before he could complete a single lap, he visited the sandtrap at Spoon once again, this time for good. The team that seemed to have everyone covered in the first three races of the season had now conceded the Constructor's Championship to Benetton.

The standings for the rest of the race remained nearly the same after the "Spoon festival" and Michael Schumacher passed the checkered flag ahead of Mika Hakkinen -- which might allow Coulthard a breath of relief, knowing that he will drive for the team that has rarely made it to the podium this year. Johnny Herbert finished third, adding further insult to the Williams loss.

Schumacher's ninth win of the season ties him with Nigel Mansell's record of nine set in 1992. Going into Adelaide for the season finale, Schumacher has completed his season goals of winning both the Drivers and Constructors Championships. We can now watch as he sets his sights on breaking the record of nine wins in a season with a with a victory in Australia. There is little doubt that he can do it.