Wednesday, September 13 2006 12:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Fernando Alonso has lambasted Michael Schumacher as the most unsporting driver ever to race in Formula One, whilst at the same time claiming it had been a privilege to compete alongside the seven-time world champion.

The amazing double-edged outburst by the reigning world champion follows an acrimonious weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, which sees the German slash Alonso's lead in the championship to just two points.

"Michael is the most unsporting driver with the largest number of sanctions in the history of Formula One," he tells sources.

"That doesn't take away from the fact that he has been the best driver and it has been an honour and pleasure to battle against him," he counters bizarrely.

Schumacher, who announces he is to retire at the end of the season, will not be missed by Alonso, who feels he has been on the wrong end of a number of controversial decisions favouring the Ferrari driver.

"Everyone has their time and you have to respect his decision. Things will be more equal now. In Formula One there are commercial and political interests," he says. "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."

The Spanish driver is still fuming over his penalty for allegedly impeding Felipe Massa during Saturday's (9 Sep, 2006) qualifying.

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

"The excuse they gave was far from honest, it isn't good for our sport." The 25-year-old admits he even thought about throwing in the towel after a string of decisions had according to the Renault driver gone against him or his team.

"Sometimes you think about not racing, but you get over that quickly enough and put on you helmet. I was 100 percent convinced that no matter where I started I could earn some points and stay ahead," he says.

"One thing I am clear about, though, is that he who laughs last, laughs longest. "Anyone can win the remaining races and if we get things right in two of the three races that are left the world championship will be ours."