South Africa Car Hire

Jaco van der Merwe, Beeld

Chandigarh - Former South African cricket coach Bob Woolmer does not think his knowledge of the Proteas will give Pakistan a notable advantage when the teams meet in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Mohali on Friday.

Woolmer, who used to know the birth date of every player in the SA team, is now the Pakistan coach.

"The only players that remain from the team that I coached are Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock," said Woolmer on Thursday.

"If there were six, they would have been in the majority and then I may have had divided loyalties," he joked.

Woolmer coached the SA team from 1994 to 1999 and during that time, the Proteas beat Pakistan 13 times on the trot.

The former England player and the late Hansie Cronjé, the SA captain at the time, moulded the Proteas into a feared team that won 73% of their one-day internationals while Woolmer was coach.

The innovative ideas of Woolmer and Cronjé made South Africa one of the top teams in the world.

Has refuted earpiece allegations

One of these was the earpiece that Cronjé wore during the 1999 World Cup tournament.

The role that the earpiece might have played in match-fixing has been questioned, but Woolmer refuted the allegations in an internet column.

He said the idea was laughable because Cronjé and Allan Donald had worn the earpieces for hardly an hour before they were instructed to remove them.

Kallis, Pollock, Gibbs, Ntini and Boucher all made their international debut under Woolmer.

Since then, they have played under four national coaches - Graham Ford, Eric Simons, Ray Jennings and Mickey Arthur.

Kallis said here on Thursday: "It's always nice to play against Bob and Pakistan.

"He knows a lot about some of our players, but it's been a long time since he coached us. We've had a lot of time to learn a few new tricks."

Proteas captain Graeme Smith said Woolmer could devise some plans against his team, but it was still up to the players to carry them out.

"I'm sure Bob knows players such as Boucher, Pollock and Kallis rather well, but it is a long time since he left South Africa.

"However, Bob is a canny coach. We will have to make sure we carry out our plans well.

"In the end, it is the players who take on each other, not the coaches," Smith said.

For the losers of Friday's match, it is the end of the tournament.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Johannesburg - Many commuters will be left stranded on Friday morning as Johannesburg taxi operators join those in Pretoria for a march to the Union Buildings, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) said.

Operators are protesting against the proposed taxi recapitalisation process due to start from Saturday, said spokesperson Sicelo Mabaso.

"Taxi recapitalisation should be scrapped with immediate effect because it is unaffordable, unrealistic, retrogressive."

He said the recapitalisation programme was only implemented to destroy the taxi industry and current taxi operators.

"We are also demanding an immediate stop to the impounding of taxis for permit related offences caused by the government and its statutory bodies who fail to issue permits."

Mabaso said that operators were also calling for all taxi permits or operating licenses to be made permanent.

"We want the 12-year overdue moratorium on taxi permits to be lifted because it is retarding both growth and the development of the taxi industry," he said.

"We also want the government to start consulting with genuine leaders of the taxi industry on matters affecting the industry and to stop liaising with the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) on our behalf."

Santaco, the biggest taxi alliance in the country followed by NTA, would not participate in the protest action.

The transport department has planned to scrap more than 10 000 taxis by December and every owner would receive a R50 000 allowance for each legally registered old minibus taxi scrapped.

But Mabaso said the money fell far short of the deposit owners have to pay for new taxis.

Protesters were expected to meet at Schubart Park at the corner of Schubart and Proes streets in Pretoria from 07:00.

They will then proceed to the Union Buildings where a memorandum of demands will be handed over to Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

Tshwane metro police spokesperson director Mel Vosloo said officers would be monitoring the situation.

The protest followed one in Cape Town on Thursday.

A bus was burned and two hijacked during a protest by taxi drivers in Cape Town. Hijacked buses were used to block the N2 highway. Thirty people were arrested following the incident.

Following this, trade union federation Cosatu issued a statement condemning the incident.

"While we understand taxi drivers' frustrations, we do not condone their violent protest action."

News source: www.news24.co.za

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San Francisco - Microsoft announced on Tuesday a plan to give holiday-season computer buyers discounts on upgrades to its Vista operating system and new-generation Microsoft Office suite due out next year.

The Redmond, Washington, software giant's aim was to overcome reservations of shoppers inclined to strip their year-end gift lists of products based on soon-to-be outdated Microsoft software.

Microsoft missed the original delivery date this year for Vista, saying it needed more time to refine it.

Microsoft said it was collaborating with hardware makers to provide coupons guaranteeing holiday-season computer buyers "Express Upgrade" to Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.

The offer would apply to Windows Vista Capable personal computers that came installed with Windows XP or 2003 Microsoft Office.

"Our customers can shop for a new PC with confidence this holiday season because of the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista and Office Technology Guarantee programs," Microsoft vice president Mike Sievert said.

"These programs ensure people will have a great experience with their Windows XP-based PCs today, and an even better one when Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release become available."

Upgrades would be offered free of charge or at discounted prices depending on computer manufacturer, according to Microsoft.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Cape Town - Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said at the launch of the latest Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in parliament on Wednesday that it did not make sense to provide tax relief at the moment in anticipation of revenue that may not be sustainable.

"The revenue performance introduces a series of difficult policy choices.

"Government has to ascertain what part of the revenue over-run is merely cyclical, given high commodity prices and consumption, and what part is likely to recur as part of the base broadening efforts of the SA Revenue Service," said Manuel.

"It does not make sense to spend once-off revenue on items that are likely to recur," he added.

"Mum's the word on the tax position taken next year," concluded Manuel.


News source: www.news24.co.za

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Cape Town - Increasing the size of the police force ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup is a priority for government, according to the Mini-Budget, tabled by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel in parliament on Wednesday.

"Additional funding is intended for approximately 8 000 police officials and 2 000 civilians in police employment, modernisation and expansion of infrastructure, and ensuring appropriate security during the 2010 Fifa World Cup," the document says.

A total of R3.5bn has been allocated to justice and crime prevention from revised expenditure estimates on priority services, according to the mini-Budget.

Government had committed itself to achieving a seven to 10% a year reduction in so-called contact crimes. In line with this, the police force was being expanded.

"Additional allocations are under consideration to improve the administration of justice, including funds to retain staff and increase personnel in the National Prosecuting Authority, the Legal Aid Board, the Special Investigating Unit, the judiciary and the magistracy."

Funding had also been proposed for the building of new High Courts in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the document says.

The document also targets the fight against crime as a key area for improvement in the delivery of services by the government.

"In line with this commitment (to service delivery) the number of police personnel continues to be expanded, with the focus on strategic locations and sector policing."

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Cape Town - Government has committed R14.9bn to major capital projects for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced on Wednesday.

In his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), tabled in the National Assembly, he says this will form part of the proposed R80bn increase in spending over the next three years.

The balance of this will go mainly to improving the criminal justice system, the built environment and human development.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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With 2010 just four years away, South Africa is already abuzz with FIFA World Cup fever! Many SA homeowners are considering the possibility of offering their holiday homes for rent, but it's not as simple as that. Holiday home rentals expert Glenda Moore has investigated the issue thoroughly and tells how you can also benefit from 2010.

With 2010 just four years away, South Africa is already abuzz with FIFA World Cup fever! Everyone is talking about the opportunities that are on offer for the astute entrepreneur. This is the largest global event that has ever been organised in South Africa. With up to 300 000 visitors expected during the six weeks, plans to host this enormous event are well under way.

As such, stadiums are currently in the process of being planned and built, transport facilities upgraded, the road system examined and our entire infrastructure to stage this intercontinental event, closely investigated. However, the simple truth is that once the international soccer fans have reached South Africa, the most important thing to them - apart from securing tickets for the matches - will be where they are able to lay their weary heads at the end of each exciting day.

I recently attended the first accommodation workshop, organised by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) on behalf of the FIFA World Cup 2010 committee, to discuss the accommodation needs for this global event. The seminar highlighted that if you are a homeowner who is thinking of offering your holiday home for rent during this time, there are certain criteria that you need to consider in order to be registered as an official accommodation supplier.

Firstly, MATCH Events Services Pty (Management of Accommodation Ticketing Computer/IT Solutions Hand-in-hand) is the officially mandated company appointed by FIFA for the provision of tickets and accommodation for this event. MATCH has managed the past six FIFA World Cup events and is also contracted to manage the 2014 event.

While accommodation establishments are not obliged to sell their facilities through MATCH, there are distinct benefits. In addition to their excellent past track record, your accommodation will be packaged with match tickets – the two most vital elements of the event. Furthermore, MATCH offers standardised conditions, dedicated sales and marketing efforts, fair and fixed rates, and a single point of contact and payment.

The FIFA World Cup 2010 is the first time that lodging, other than traditional hotel accommodation, will be used by MATCH. However, certain conditions do apply. The most important of these being that the establishment must be quality-assured through the grading system of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Furthermore, the facility should be located in or around one of the nine host cities. These are Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Polokwane, Rustenberg and Nelspruit. Other satellite areas such as the Garden Route are still being finalised. A further requirement of the establishment is that it enters into a contract with MATCH by the end of 2006.

And now, the million dollar question……how much is MATCH prepared to pay for your accommodation? The rates for the event will be based on your rates applicable during June/July 2007. These rates will be increased by a factor equal to three times the average annual percentage increase in the official Consumer Price Index for South Africa during the period 2005, 2006 and 2007. This factor is estimated to be nine percent, which means that your rates applicable for the FIFA World Cup 2010 will be your June/July 2007 rates plus nine percent. MATCH will pay you 70 percent of these rates, the 30 percent deduction being used in the marketing and selling of your accommodation.

So, the decision for every housing establishment is whether you follow the tried and tested official FIFA channel to sell your lodgings at a fixed rate or whether you take your chances on the open market. It seems like a long way away, but if you want to be part of the game, you need to make that decision soon.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Los Angeles - Horror-film fans with a taste for '70s-style slasher antics can indulge themselves next week when the original Halloween movie returns to American theatres for the first time in 27 years.

A digitally remastered, high-definition version of the 1978 film, which turned Jamie Lee Curtis into a star, will play on October 30 and 31 in 150 movie houses.

A new 20-minute featurette about Halloween, including interviews with original cast members and a look at the movie's impact on pop culture, will precede the screening.

Halloween, which spurred a spate of multi-sequel slasher films, tells the story of an escapee from a mental institution, Michael Myers, who goes on a murderous spree on Halloween night.

Seven sequels have followed. The eighth is on the way, to be written and directed by aptly named rocker Rob Zombie. Halloween 9 is expected to be released on October 19, 2007.

"I take the original film very seriously, and I want to make it terrifying again," said Zombie.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Chicago - Madonna will speak to talk show host Oprah Winfrey about her decision to adopt a 13-month-old Malawian boy in her first television interview since the adoption became an international controversy.

The interview is scheduled to tape on Tuesday and air on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Harpo Productions said on Monday.

Madonna travelled to Malawi with her husband, Guy Ritchie, on October 4. Together, they spent eight days visiting orphanages she is funding through her charity.

The boy, named David Banda, was taken to London last week after Malawi's high court granted Madonna and her husband an interim adoption order.

The 48-year-old singer has said she acted according to the law, but the toddler's father said on Sunday he did not realise he was signing away custody of the boy "for good".

Madonna, who rose to pop culture icon status in the 1980s, has two children - daughter Lourdes, 9, and son Rocco, 6.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Jaco van der Merwe, Beeld

Ahmedabad - Nobody should call Mark Boucher a coward. And the South African wicketkeeper does not forget anyone who does cross the line, as some Sri Lankan newspapers have done.

Boucher would have captained the Proteas in a triangular series in Sri Lanka in August while Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis were recovering from injuries. The third team would have been India.

However, after two bomb explosions it was felt the team's safety could not be guaranteed and they returned to South Africa.

Boucher was portrayed as a coward and one newspaper even carried a picture of him with the word "Chicken" as the heading.

That is one of the reasons Boucher would like to be on the winning side when South Africa and Sri Lanka meet in an ICC Champions Trophy match here on Tuesday. South Africa must win to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

"For those of us who bore the brunt of the criticism in the Sri Lankan media, this is a big one," Boucher said here on Sunday." They called us cowards and therefore some of the guys are really looking forward to this match."

Reached three figures off 44 balls

"We hold nothing against their players but would like to show the newspapers a thing or two. What they reported was unfair and ill-considered and we would like to give them something proper to write about."

The 29-year-old Boucher has been in outstanding form behind the wickets and with the bat after losing his place to Thami Tsolekile in the SA Test team in 2004.

Last season he scored an unbeaten 50 when South Africa amassed 438-9 in the famous victory over Australia at the Wanderers. And at Potchefstroom recently he hammered the second fastest century in the history of one-day internationals when he reached three figures off 44 balls.

Boucher credits former SA wicketkeeper and national coach Ray Jennings for much of his success.

"I owe Ray a lot. We did not get on too well at the start, but now our relationship is very good. We have a lot of respect for each other since we worked together. He taught me to be proud of whatever I do," Boucher said.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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New York - Grey's Anatomy star TR Knight says he is gay, but hopes people do not consider that "the most interesting part of me".

The 33-year-old actor addressed rumours of his sexuality in a statement to People magazine on Thursday.

"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumours that may be out there," Knight's statement read.

"While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

Knight plays Dr George O'Malley on the popular drama. A former stage actor, his television credits also include CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Knight's Grey's Anatomy character, a bumbling, puppy-eyed surgeon, has long been in love with Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Paris - A band of up to 30 youths forced passengers out of a bus in a southern Paris suburb in broad daylight on Sunday, set it afire then stoned firefighters who came to the rescue, a police official said.

Police cordoned off the neighbourhood in Grigny after the bus attack, which comes five days before France marks the one-year anniversary of the start of three weeks of fiery riots by poor suburban youths.

District police chief Jean-Francois Papineau called Sunday's bus attack "deliberate".

He said the vehicle was forced to stop at a road block at about 14:00. Two youths then entered the back of the bus to clear out passengers before dousing it with fuel and setting it ablaze.

Fire spread to cars

The blaze, which left the bus a tangled carcass of metal, spread to four parked cars, Papineau told LCI television.

When firefighters arrived, the youths began stoning them, he said. No one was injured.

Meanwhile, France's minister for social cohesion, Jean-Louis Borloo, called on citizens to act responsibly because "tensions are raw just as we're in the process of resolving the difficulties".

The daylight bus-burning evoked memories of the riots. It followed nearly a half-dozen incidents in recent weeks in which suburban youths have attacked police - in some cases in planned ambushes.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Johannesburg - African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma would follow former President Nelson Mandela's example in the fight against corruption, if he were to be South Africa's president, SABC radio news reports.

The national broadcaster reported that Zuma told the BBC on Sunday that he was a firm believer in the fight against corruption.

"I will fight corruption in whatever task I am given by the ANC," Zuma said.

He said there were policies to guard against the crippling of the country's development by corruption.

"I will follow the policies of the ANC in fighting against the scourge in our country and Africa as a whole."

He said he would ensure full participation of the people in fighting corruption.

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Sao Paulo - Fernando Alonso celebrated clinching his second drivers' world title in his final race for Renault on Sunday with a rich tribute to his team and to retiring seven-times champion Michael Schumacher.

The 25-year-old Spaniard finished second behind victorious home city hero Felipe Massa in the Brazilian Grand Prix to become the youngest winner of back-to-back titles in Formula One history.

"This has been a fantastic weekend for me and especially this race - and I have to thank the Renault team for being so fantastic," he said. "They have been my family in Formula One and we have grown up together.

"It is my last race for them and I am so glad we won both titles. That was the important thing. Felipe and Ferrari were too quick for us in the race, but we did the job.

"And I have to say that it means more to be the double champion now and win these titles while Michael Schumacher was racing than any other time. If he is on the track, it is tougher and it is of more value. We did it and now I am going to have the biggest party of my life."

Massa, 25, said: "This is amazing. To win here in front of my own people - it is a dream come true and to have the flag and to see the people jumping and dancing for me. It is the best day of my life.

"It is incredible, the car has been fantastic, the car was wonderful and it was the easiest race of my life because of that.

"But I must say thank you to Michael for all his help and he is a great friend and a great driver. I am sorry for him but this is the best day of my life and I just don't know what else I can say!"

Perfect end to the year

Briton Jenson Button drove brilliantly from 14th on the grid to grab third for Honda and he said: "It is my third podium of the year and it is great for me but for those other two guys it is even better.

"For me it is a perfect end to the year and a fantastic day. To win like this without doing it on pit stops but on racing is fantastic. I felt we could have finished second, but not beaten the Ferrari. Felipe was too fast today.

"This is great for me going into the winter and it is a great way to finish the year. I am sure we are going to be stronger next year."

Schumacher said little immediately after the race, but his Ferrari team technical director Ross Brawn blamed Renault rival Giancarlo Fisichella for causing his puncture.

He said the Italian had wrecked his hopes of victory and a Ferrari triumph.

Brawn said: "I don't think we could have done any better. It's just frustrating with the constructors' (standings) because we obviously had a very quick car today.

"I think Giancarlo clipped Michael's tyre as he went past him and screwed our race. So it's very unfortunate because we had by far the quickest car today."

Talking more about his rivalry with Schumacher, Alonso added: "It has been very close and I think it is good to fight with him. I always said that to become champion when Michael is still on track gives it more value.

"I was extremely lucky to win the world championships when he races, I think we all wish him the best for his new life with his family. It has for us been pleasure for us to race with him."

Schumacher, 10 points behind Alonso, but with seven wins each, had needed one last victory to have any hope of an unprecedented eighth title while the Spaniard required only a single point from his last race with Renault before joining McLaren.

Amazing drive at Interlagos

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore also paid tribute to Schumacher following his amazing drive at Interlagos.

"I think today we have to show great respect for Michael Schumacher, because what he's done today will go down in the history of F1," Briatore told RAI television.

"He was flying. I don't know what he had but he was literally flying. We've won a difficult championship against an extremely difficult rival, Ferrari, so congratulations to them too for keeping the title open even too much."

Massa, who took a Brazilian flag for his slow-down lap after the dramatic race, was close to tears.

"It is just a dream come true. You see all the people bringing the flag, screaming your name and jumping, dancing, whatever, just for you. It is difficult to explain, whatever drivers would love to be in my position, Fernando won his home Grand Prix this year and it was fantastic.

"It is the best day of my life." Massa congratulated Renault and Alonso. He said: "For sure they deserve it, they made a fantastic beginning to the championship and that was the key to control the end of the championship, but in the same way I think we deserve it.

"We did a fantastic job, not at the beginning but afterwards we put everything together. We made a fantastic car, a fantastic team, and we deserve it as well. It is all written in history about Renault, Michelin and Fernando, but we also did a fantastic job because we worked so hard."

The Brazilian, who hugged Schumacher at the end of the race, said he will miss the German driver very much. "Michael is a real friend, he was always positive about me and always wanted me in the team.

"For me, I will miss him. He is just a fantastic person and very special for me."

News source: www.news24.co.za

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Sao Paulo - Fernando Alonso celebrated clinching his second drivers' world title in his final race for Renault on Sunday with a rich tribute to his team and to retiring seven-times champion Michael Schumacher.

The 25-year-old Spaniard finished second behind victorious home city hero Felipe Massa in the Brazilian Grand Prix to become the youngest winner of back-to-back titles in Formula One history.

"This has been a fantastic weekend for me and especially this race - and I have to thank the Renault team for being so fantastic," he said. "They have been my family in Formula One and we have grown up together.

"It is my last race for them and I am so glad we won both titles. That was the important thing. Felipe and Ferrari were too quick for us in the race, but we did the job.

"And I have to say that it means more to be the double champion now and win these titles while Michael Schumacher was racing than any other time. If he is on the track, it is tougher and it is of more value. We did it and now I am going to have the biggest party of my life."

Massa, 25, said: "This is amazing. To win here in front of my own people - it is a dream come true and to have the flag and to see the people jumping and dancing for me. It is the best day of my life.

"It is incredible, the car has been fantastic, the car was wonderful and it was the easiest race of my life because of that.

"But I must say thank you to Michael for all his help and he is a great friend and a great driver. I am sorry for him but this is the best day of my life and I just don't know what else I can say!"

Perfect end to the year

Briton Jenson Button drove brilliantly from 14th on the grid to grab third for Honda and he said: "It is my third podium of the year and it is great for me but for those other two guys it is even better.

"For me it is a perfect end to the year and a fantastic day. To win like this without doing it on pit stops but on racing is fantastic. I felt we could have finished second, but not beaten the Ferrari. Felipe was too fast today.

"This is great for me going into the winter and it is a great way to finish the year. I am sure we are going to be stronger next year."

Schumacher said little immediately after the race, but his Ferrari team technical director Ross Brawn blamed Renault rival Giancarlo Fisichella for causing his puncture.

He said the Italian had wrecked his hopes of victory and a Ferrari triumph.

Brawn said: "I don't think we could have done any better. It's just frustrating with the constructors' (standings) because we obviously had a very quick car today.

"I think Giancarlo clipped Michael's tyre as he went past him and screwed our race. So it's very unfortunate because we had by far the quickest car today."

Talking more about his rivalry with Schumacher, Alonso added: "It has been very close and I think it is good to fight with him. I always said that to become champion when Michael is still on track gives it more value.

"I was extremely lucky to win the world championships when he races, I think we all wish him the best for his new life with his family. It has for us been pleasure for us to race with him."

Schumacher, 10 points behind Alonso, but with seven wins each, had needed one last victory to have any hope of an unprecedented eighth title while the Spaniard required only a single point from his last race with Renault before joining McLaren.

Amazing drive at Interlagos

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore also paid tribute to Schumacher following his amazing drive at Interlagos.

"I think today we have to show great respect for Michael Schumacher, because what he's done today will go down in the history of F1," Briatore told RAI television.

"He was flying. I don't know what he had but he was literally flying. We've won a difficult championship against an extremely difficult rival, Ferrari, so congratulations to them too for keeping the title open even too much."

Massa, who took a Brazilian flag for his slow-down lap after the dramatic race, was close to tears.

"It is just a dream come true. You see all the people bringing the flag, screaming your name and jumping, dancing, whatever, just for you. It is difficult to explain, whatever drivers would love to be in my position, Fernando won his home Grand Prix this year and it was fantastic.

"It is the best day of my life." Massa congratulated Renault and Alonso. He said: "For sure they deserve it, they made a fantastic beginning to the championship and that was the key to control the end of the championship, but in the same way I think we deserve it.

"We did a fantastic job, not at the beginning but afterwards we put everything together. We made a fantastic car, a fantastic team, and we deserve it as well. It is all written in history about Renault, Michelin and Fernando, but we also did a fantastic job because we worked so hard."

The Brazilian, who hugged Schumacher at the end of the race, said he will miss the German driver very much. "Michael is a real friend, he was always positive about me and always wanted me in the team.

"For me, I will miss him. He is just a fantastic person and very special for me."

News source: www.news24.co.za

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