Sundar&Santa Khatiwada Foundation: November 2012

In Summary

Lights go out at 1600
Vettel leads Alonso by 13 points
Alonso must finish on podium with Vettel lower than 4th, 7th or 9th, depending on Alonso's podium position

Reporting by

Lawrence Barretto, BBC Sport

Mercedes on Twitter: "Light drizzle now actually..."
McLaren on Twitter: "Weather update: this light rain will continue for 15 minutes."
1557:

Sebastian Vettel's engineer tells him that they will stick to the tyres they are on at the moment so he'll have to be wary of the greasy conditions. The team add that they expect the race to be dry.
1555:

The light drizzle means it's game on, folks. A slight mistake on a damp patch and it could all be over. What a start this could be. Five minutes to go. I'm shivering with excitement.
McLaren on Twitter: "The official weather forecast reads as follows: a few drops possible in the next 30 mins, then dry."
Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher: "I am feeling pretty good. The flag was [his manager] Sabine [Kehm's] idea and a very good one. Great emotions and sharing my passion, that was basically my motto and that's what I wanted to say."
1552:

It's raining at Interlagos. Up spring the umbrellas on the grid.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"Strategy is a suck-it-and-see matter for the final race of the season. During the race-simulation runs in Friday practice, the indications were that teams would have to make two or three pit stops. But it's much cooler on race day, which will reduce tyre wear and degradation and could make it a two-stop, or even a one. A lot will depend on track temperature - but the teams don't know to what extent. Engineers predict a mix of strategies, although the most likely one is for the front-runners to switch from their 'option' or 'medium' tyres to 'hard' or 'prime' rubber for the second stint, leaving the third choice open. But Ferrari have more fresher 'medium' tyres than they do 'hard' so may choose to use them in the middle stint. A two-stop strategy would mean a first stop anywhere from lap 18 to lap 25."
1550:

We are very, very, very, very close now. How are you feeling? My teeth are chattering, legs shaking, hands are trembling. And I'm not even in a cockpit about to embark on the race of my life. How must the drivers be feeling right now?
1547:

Ferrari's Felipe Massa says he hopes he can help Fernando and do the best race he can.
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh: "The fans want something exciting to happen out there. Fernando Alonso has had his best year of his career and deserves to win it but no-one can say Sebastian doesn't deserve it. At the moment you have to say Sebastian Vettel is in pole position to regain the World Championship but in these conditions anything can happen. I want a boring race, but I am sure we will not be getting one of those."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner: "The spots of rain adds to the tension. It is going to be an interesting finale. If you believe the forecast it says it is going to blow over, but it is looking pretty dark out there."
Sauber on Twitter: "Michael Schumacher is having a flag on his car saying thank you to the fans. Special moment. thank you Michael. it was great to have you in #F1. #neverforget #truelegend."
1544:

Spots of rain on the grid. That is all.
1543:

DC tries to get the waterworks going early by asking Lewis Hamilton if he wants to send a message out to his fans before he leaves for McLaren: "To all the fans, I hope they will still support McLaren because it's the best team," he said. "And I hope in time they will support me." Easy DC, don't push the poor man over the edge before he's even started his final race for McLaren.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"While the focus is on the title battle, spare a thought for the minnows at the back, where a fight of significant importance is taking place. Tenth place in the constructors' championship means millions to the team that takes it rather than finish 11th and right now Marussia hold it on account of Timo Glock's 12th place in Singapore. But Caterham, who have finished 10th for the last two years, only need to match that result to snatch it back. The tension is all the greater because it has been announced this weekend that Marussia's Charles Pic will move to Caterham next season. Marussia are a bit nervous about that, but the Frenchman insists he will give 100% for his current team."
GET INVOLVED

Danny Gathercole on Twitter: "Nervous about this race. Strange feeling haven't been this up for a F1 race in months!"
1540:

Michael Schumacher pulls into his grid slot and the team affix a flag to the car which says "Thank you" - a tribute from the seven-time world champion to the fans. The German is cruising around the track to a huge round of applause. Lovely touch.
1538:

The grid is heaving with an assortment of team personnel, media, VIP guests, former F1 world champions and a few drivers. Just over 20 minutes until the formation lap for the final race of the season begins...
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"The chances of Michael Schumacher making an impact at his final grand prix are receding with the chances of wet weather. The German had a poor qualifying - he is only 14th and was well off the pace of team-mate Nico Rosberg. He said he had set the car up for the expected rain on Sunday and that had affected his pace. In a dry race, therefore, things do not look good for him."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner: "The atmosphere is very good in the team. A big part of this year was dealt with last weekend with the Constructors Championship. We treat this race the same as any other and the preparation is the same as previous 19 races so far. Regarding the weather, they are covering themselves at the moment saying 50-50 chance of rain. we have spotters out around the circuit, the rain is going to come at some point it is just about being able to react quickly and have the right tyres at the right time."
Williams on Twitter: "Temperature has dropped here in Brazil #Interlagos and rain is threatening."
1534:

Sebastian Vettel gets the BBC F1 Drive of the Year award for his performance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he started in the pit lane but fought his way through the field to finish on the podium in third. "It's very heavy," said Vettel. "Thanks for that."
1532:

Force India's Nico Hulkenberg has been awarded the BBC F1 Overtake of the Year award for his brilliant move on Lewis Hamilton and Romain Grosjean in the same move in Korea. "I had a big smile on my face," he said. "It was a cool moment."
1530:

The Brazilian Grand Prix is live across the BBC this weekend. All of the coverage - that's TV, radio and live text commentary - is, as always, available here online. The race is on BBC One now and Radio 5 live sports extra from 1545. There's TV highlights of the race on BBC Three and BBC HD at 1900 GMT.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"Primarily, this grand prix is about Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, but it is also a race of farewells. Michael Schumacher is taking part in the last grand prix of his illustrious career; Heikki Kovalainen, Kamui Kobayashiand Pedro de la Rosa are all without a drive next year and may well be bidding goodbye too; De la Rosa's HRT team are extremely unlikely to survive the winter; and Lewis Hamilton is racing for McLaren for the final time. There will be some emotional moments later on, that's for sure."
More from Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali: "Fernando Alonso says he got nine hours sleep but I got a bit less than that! Hopefully enough to be awake and rational. We all had a dinner together at Felipe [Massa's] house last night. No trembling legs today, we will just do the best job we can. We know it may not be enough but we can be proud of what we are doing."
1525:

Just over five minutes to go until the pit lane opens and the drivers are clear to leave the garage and make their way to the grid. We're around 35 minutes away from lights out.
Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali: "The last check we had says clouds, but not rain so we shall see. I don't know [what we want weather-wise] when you ask for something that you think is the best for you it sometimes doesn't work that way, so whatever will be, will be."
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel: "We have a great car, we have been quite competitive all weekend. If there is a chance to win we will go for victory."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"There are some rumours that former Ferrari and Williams driver Rubens Barrichello may make F1 return (with Caterham). I asked him if chance and he shook his head and made "very small" sign with his fingers."
BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan

"One championship is a mighty haul for someone so young. Don't forget Lewis Hamilton effectively should have won the World Championship in his first year and he can leave with pride here for what he has done for McLaren."
GET INVOLVED

Stuart Carr on Twitter: "'Do not disturb'. This is going to be an epic race."
Chief F1 writer Andrew Benson on Twitter: "Felipe Massa sounds rough - some kind of throat infection: 'I was expecting a shower. We need to be ready for everything.'"
1521:

TITLE MATHS

So, we have challengers, one title. Vettel holds a 13-point lead over Alonsowith 25 on the table. Alonso must finish on the podium to have any chance of getting his hands on the championship trophy. A win for the Spaniard requires Vettel to finish outside the top four. Second means Vettel must fails to make the top seven. Third would require Vettel to finish 10th or lower. For Vettel, fourth would be enough, regardless of where Alonso finishes. It's simple for Vettel - fourth will guarantee his third successive title.
McLaren on Twitter: "After Austin, Lewis Hamilton has won more GPs for McLaren (21) than anyone bar Ayrton Senna (35) & Alain Prost (30). Can he make it 22?"
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"Force India's Nico Hulkenberg has continued his impressive late-season form here in Brazil. For the first 15 races of the season, the qualifying record between the German and team-mate Paul di Resta was 10-5 in the Scot's favour, although the margins were usually very small. But since the Korean Grand Prix Hulkenberg seems to have upped his game - and has out-qualified the Scot five times in a row, often by a significant margin. Hulkenberg, who is moving to Sauber next season, said qualifying seventh behind the two McLarens, two Red Bulls and one Ferrari - which has become sixth on the grid following a 10-place grid penalty for Williams driver Pastor Maldonado - was 'as good as it gets' Hulkenberg is pretty good in the wet, too, so he could feature strongly in the race. And the same goes if it's dry, too. He showed good pace in the race-simulation runs in second practice, so as he said, he should 'race strongly'."
Sauber on Twitter: "There are more and more dark clouds ... Track temperature is 25 degrees, air temp is 20 with increasing humidity (63 %). Will it rain?"
BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard

"Fernando Alonso has been exceptional all year, he has kept Ferrari in this championship when, you could argue in terms of pace, they should not be there."
Chief F1 writer Andrew Benson ‏on Twitter reports that during the drivers parade, Lewis Hamilton said: "It is the first time I've been here [Interlagos] and they are not booing me, they are booing Alonso."
1517:

The weather predictions are changing all the time. Teams arrived at the circuit under bright blue skies, but Interlagos is now covered by clouds, with some pretty dark ones looming in the distance. It'll all depend on the wind direction and whether they'll glide their way over to the track...
Fernando Alonso on Twitter: "For some reason we are fighting the world championship that logic would say was impossible. Enjoy today and whatever happens.. Thank you all."
1515:

There's only 50 minutes until the race begins and one would think title contender Fernando Alonso is fully focused on the job in hand. Oh no. The Spaniard is super relaxed and tweeting to his beloved fans...
BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard

"Today confirms Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso's status as greats in the sport, there should be no doubts about that. Three World Championships, whoever does it will be quite remarkable."
1512:

GET INVOLVED

And for the final time this season, here are Lawro's Podium Predictions. I'm going for a Lewis Hamilton victory with Fernando Alonso second and Jenson Button third. As for Vettel, I think he'll be battling for around fourth or fifth. Tweet us using the #bbcf1 hashtag or text 81111 (UK only), remembering to put F1 and your name at the start of those messages.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"The focus of this weekend in Brazil has obviously been the title battle but there were notable performances in qualifying that are worth mentioning. Among them was Ferrari's Felipe Massa qualifying three places ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso. For Massa, it was a confirmation of his return to form since the season reconvened following the August break, after finally getting his head around the 2012 Ferrari. 'I did a fantastic qualifying,' he said. 'Looking (at) how strong are McLaren and Red Bull, better than what I did was impossible. (I'm) very happy driving the car in the way I want and that is positive. I was struggling so much with the car before August but when I have the car I want I know I can be very competitive.'"
BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan

"We were told we would have a deluge, we now know it is currently dry but anything can happen at Interlagos. We will have rain at some stage during this race, I think."
1508:

A trip down memory lane on BBC One right now, as we look back at the eight men who have managed to win three titles or more from Michael Schumacher - who hangs up his helmet today - to Juan Manuel Fangio, Ayrton Senna to Niki Lauda. Either Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel is on the verge of joining that very exclusive club.
GET INVOLVED

Alexander Jones on Twitter: "F1 today should be insane. Hamilton deserves a goodbye victory, and Alonso deserves the title..."

Anthony Bubb on Twitter: "I so hope Fernando Alonso takes the world title today. It should be a great race nonetheless."
BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan

"Today I feel really privileged. This is going to be the end of the 63rd World Championship and we will have a new world champion. It is the climax of an unbelievable season and this is probably the greatest season in my recollection in F1."
1505:

BBC co-commentator David Coulthard says he's "as nervous as he's ever been" ahead of the title decider. "I was never involved in a title decider, so this is more nerve-wracking than any time when I was in the car."
1503:

Impeccable timing as Red Bull pump out The Chain as Jake, EJ and DC open the show.
Lotus on Twitter: "Of course, today we bid a fond farewell to one of the sports greatest; 7xF1 World Champion Michael Schumacher."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"This race marks the final grand prix in the long relationship between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren - he is moving to Mercedes next year. He has been asked about it all weekend, and by Saturday afternoon was understandably getting a little fed up of the constant questions. In a revealing BBC interviewwith pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie, though, he came close to tears as he discussed the subject, his years with McLaren and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger. He said he might 'need to keep my helmet on' after the race. However it finishes, there is a good chance those tears will flow properly by the end of the afternoon."
1500:

What a tune, Fleetwood Mac's The Chain. It gets me every time. Sends shivers down my spine. Why? Because it means BBC One's final race broadcast of the season is under way and we are one hour from the lights going out in the title-decider.
BBC Radio 5 live pit lane reporter Jennie Gow on Twitter: "Wattie [John Watson] reckons the rain is on it's way!!! He can feel it apparently ;)"
1455:

Jake, EJ and DC are putting the finish touches to their intro in the pit lane as we approach the start of the programme. Jake looking dapper in a pink number while Eddie has gone for a sensational two-tone black polka dot effort...
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"In a dry race, as it looks like being, McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button can be expected to be the strongest candidates for victory, with the Red Bulls pushing them hard. The silver cars have looked super-competitive all weekend and they have locked out the front row, with Lewis Hamilton just sneaking ahead of Jenson Button. McLaren have their eyes on separating Ferrari from second place in the constructors' championship, and a one-two would do it regardless of Ferrari's result."
Ferrari on Twitter: "No rain expected during the race. After one week of unanimous forecasts for a rainy Sunday we will have a dry race."
1451:

Ferrari have just sent out a tweet I'm sure they were hoping not to have to write....
1448:

TITLE MATHS

Just a reminder about the title maths. Vettel has a 13-point lead over Alonso with 25 on the table in the season finale. Put simply, Alonso must finish on the podium to have any chance of getting his hands on the championship trophy - and even then it needs a bad performance from Vettel.

A win for the Spaniard requires Vettel to finish outside the top four. Second means Vettel must fails to make the top seven. Third would require Vettel to finish 10th or lower. For Vettel, fourth would be enough, regardless of where Alonso finishes.
1444:

GET INVOLVED

Sensational scenes in the BBC Sport office today as my colleague Karen Fazackerley has baked a selection of car-inspired chocolate cupcakes to celebrate this super occasion. Can anyone top these tasty treats? Tweet us using the #bbcf1 or text 81111 (UK only).
GET INVOLVED

Laura Tansley on Twitter: "Slouchies, check. Sofa & duvet, check. Drinks & snacks, check. Nerves? Completely shot to pieces. Tense afternoon."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"There is a lot of talk about a wet race being a big chance for Fernando Alonso to beat Sebastian Vettel to the championship. Some might wonder why. After all, it's not as if Vettel is not good in the wet - he is. He won his first race at a wet Italian Grand Prix in Monza in 2008 and his second in similar conditions in China in 2009. And although Alonso has been on pole at both wet races this year, each time the Red Bulls were right behind him. The point, though, is that the rain reduces the performance gap between the Red Bull and the Ferrari - and raises the possibility of mistakes, incidents and so on. All of which can happen either of the title contenders, of course."
Ferrari on Twitter: "Less than 90 minutes and then the race will start! Be sure that we will do 120% to help Fernando to win!"
1441:

Lewis Hamilton has just pointed out a dark grey cloud approaching Interlagos. The weather radar says the chance of rain is decreasing but you never know with this place. Anything can happen.
GET INVOLVED

Neil Steele on Twitter: "Would be great if Lewis could sign off from McLaren with another win, but today is all about the WDC really. Go Fernando!!"
Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton of McLaren: "We just did a team photo. I'm so proud to be associated with them. It's quite an emotional end to the year. I'd love to go out there and win it for the team. Jenson won't make it easy, neither will the Red Bulls."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"As we consider the pressure on the shoulders of both Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, there is the slightest suspicion that both slightly under-performed in qualifying. In Vettel's case, Lewis Hamilton came right out and said it. Vettel denied it, of course. Alonso, meanwhile, was out-qualified by team-mate Felipe Massa for only the second time this year - but the second time in as many races. And the margin was quite large for such a short lap - 0.266 seconds. He had no explanation for that. How will they both cope in the race?"
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso: "Wet races are more unpredictable. We need that kind of race. We will do our race and we will enjoy. When we cross the line, we see what positions we are in."
1438:

DRIVERS' STANDINGS

THE CONTENDERS

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 273

2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 260

THE REST

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) 206

4. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 190

5. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 167

6. Jenson Button (McLaren) 153
Nico Rosberg on Twitter: "Very funny, normally the mechanics have heavy metal music in the garage. At the moment there are pre-race Christmas songs..."
1435:

RACE WINS

The 2012 roll of honour:

Australia - Jenson Button (McLaren) Malaysia - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)China - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) Bahrain - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)Spain - Pastor Maldonado (Williams) Monaco - Mark Webber (Red Bull)Canada - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) Europe - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)Britain - Mark Webber (Red Bull) Germany - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)Hungary - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) Belgium - Jenson Button (McLaren)Italy - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) Singapore - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)Japan - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) India - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) Abu Dhabi - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) United States - Lewis Hamilton (Lotus)
Mercedes's Michael Schumacher: "We are not really in a position to offer a lot of fireworks in this last race, but I wish to do. Rain would be welcome from my side to mix it up. Nevertheless, it's been a pleasure to come back. I enjoyed most of it. Not as successful as we wanted it to be. I learned a lot. Now is a good time to go and go back to the life I had."
1432:

Here's a quick word from the legendary seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher...
1430:

Bit of excitement on the grid right now as the drivers take their place for the traditional end of season photo. Michael Schumacher has got in there nice and early and secured himself a prime seat front-centre for his swansong race. He's flanked by Fernando Alonso on one side and Sebastian Vettel on the other. No tears yet from the legendary German.
GET INVOLVED

Alex on Twitter: "Rain...no rain....rain.....no rain, well, I'm still hoping for rain and in #Interlagos weather reports are meaningless."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"Watch out for some action from Williams's Pastor Maldonado and Lotus'sRomain Grosjean, who starts out of position in 16th and 18th places. Maldonado missed a weight check during second qualifying, for which he was given a reprimand. The problem was that it was his third of the season - which means a mandatory 10-place grid penalty. Williams held their hands up and said he simply did not see the light - it is unusual to be called in the middle of second qualifying as he was. They say time is tight in Q2 and now they know it's a possibility they will have to adjust their programme to take that into account. As for Grosjean, he only has himself to blame, after completely misjudging an on-track situation for the umpteenth time this year and running into the back of Pedro de la Rosa's HRT in first qualifying. The number of times he has made an error of judgement on track this season is causing concern up and down the pit lane - he seems to have some kind of mental blind spot."
1427:

THE GRID

1) Hamilton 2) Button 3) Webber 4) Vettel 5) Massa 6) Hulkenberg 7) Alonso 8) Raikkonen 9) Rosberg 10) Di Resta

11) Senna 12) Perez 13) Schumacher 14) Kobayashi 15) Ricciardo 16) Maldonado* 17) Vergne

18) Grosjean 19) Petrov 20) Kovalainen 21) Glock 22) Pic 23) Karthikeyan 24) De la Rosa

*Pastor Maldonado demoted 10 places to sixth after picking up his third reprimand
1424:

All this chat about the drivers' championship and I've not had chance to mention our pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton who produced a stunning lap in qualifying to line up on P1 for the first time in Brazil. Jenson Button made it a perfect day for McLaren by lining up in second to lock-out the front row.
Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne on Twitter: "Please let it rain in Interlagos...!"
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"Of the two title contenders, Sebastian Vettel has by far the easiest job. He has the faster car, he starts ahead of Fernando Alonso and mathematically things are stacked hugely in his favour. If Alonso wins, the German needs only to be fourth or higher to be champion. If Alonso is second, Vettel needs only to be seventh, and if Alonso is third, only ninth. But Vettel says he has no intention of driving a careful race into the points. 'We don't come here to finish second, fourth, fifth, 10th,' he said. 'We finished fourth in qualifying which is maybe not the best position we could have got but it is not a disaster; there are more people behind us than in front. I am happy with fourth and there are plenty of opportunities in terms of tactics. The most important thing is we are ready to attack and hungry.'"
GET INVOLVED

Jonathan Jones on Twitter: "Can't wait for the Brazilian Grand Prix - feeling the tension!"
1421:

TRACK STATS

Venue: Interlagos Laps: 71 Circuit length: 4.309km Race distance:305.909km Number of corners: 15 (10 left and 5 right) Average lap speed:205kph Full throttle per lap: 70% Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya (2004) 1:11.473.
Force India on Twitter: "Time 4 Paul & Nico to have their lunch. Coming up we have the drivers' end-of-season photo followed by their parade. Then it's time to race."
1418:

This is the 27th time in which there has been a championship decider at the last race, I'm told. Of the previous 26, the championship leader going into the race has won the title on 15 occasions. The odds, then, are stacked in Mr Vettel's favour.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso on Twitter: "Good morning! Slept 9h and now arriving at the circuit. Now strategy meetings and normal preparations before every race."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"If you're in the UK, make sure you catch the start of the BBC One Brazilian Grand Prix coverage at 1500 GMT. One of BBC Sport's award-winning film-makers has produced an 'opener' based on the premise that more men have been in space than stood on the top step of the Formula 1 podium. That really brings home just how special it is to be a leading grand prix driver."
1415:

So this is the plan for the BIGGEST race of the season (Yes, I'm excited). Jake, EJ and DC will hit your screens at 1500 GMT to begin an hour long build to the race, which I suspect will involve several updates about the weather systems around Interlagos. Then at around 1535, DC will begin his grid walk with the lights going out at 1600. Around 90 minutes later, we should have a new champion.
1412:

GET INVOLVED

So who do you think deserves to win this year's title? Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard who has dragged a sluggish Ferrari to three victory and nine podiums in one of the most sensational performances in recent memory. Or Sebastian Vettel, the reigning world champion, who bounced back from a disappointing start to the season to win four races on the bounce and assume the championship lead. The choice is yours. Tweet us using the #bbcf1 hashtag or text 81111 (UK only), remembering to put F1 and your name on those texts.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"The threat of rain has been receding all the time. On Saturday, the forecast was for a 90% chance of rain, now it's down to 40% or less and the teams are saying they expect a dry race, with light showers afterwards - or perhaps at the end. Looking at the amount of understeer - lack of front grip - in Fernando Alonso's car during qualifying, more than a few people wondered whether the team had made a few concessions to wet weather in its set-up - gambling on it being their best chance of beating Sebastian Vettel, and knowing that in a dry race they are helpless to beat him unless the Red Bull fails. I asked Alonso directly after qualifying whether that had been Ferrari's approach, and he said: 'No, not really,' before explaining that these days there is not much differencebetween a wet and dry set-up. But it was noticeable that he did not once look me in the eye as he talked, with is unusual. Make of that what you will."
1408:

In just over three and a half hours time, Formula 1 will have crowned a new champion - either Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel. German Vettel is in the driving seat, holding a 13-point lead with 25 remaining and lining up fourth on the grid with Alonso back in seventh. But there is one thing in Alonso's favour - the weather. Rain was expected to unload itself on the historic Interlagos track come the race - and we all know how good the Spaniard is in slippery conditions - just think of this year's Malaysian Grand Prix. But it appears things have changed.
McLaren's Jenson Button on Twitter: "Morning from a surprisingly sunny São Paulo. Where's the rain?! Always love Sunday mornings."
1405:

Welcome, one and all, to our live coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix - the finale of a truly remarkable season which has had everything.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson at Interlagos

"The expectations are that this could be a classic race. It's certainly beautifully poised. Title rivals Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are fourth and seventh on the grid, and the pressure on both is immense. At stake is the honour of being a three-time world champion, something only eight people in history have managed. Not only that, but whoever does it will become the youngest person to achieve it. The odds are heavily in Vettel's favour, with a 13-point advantage that means Alonso has to finish on the podium to even have a chance of becoming champion. In the last nine Brazilian Grands Prix, Alonso has only failed to finish in the top three positions three times. This year, he has been on the podium 12 times in 19 races. So realistically Vettel must be going into the race thinking that he has to finish. Mouth-watering."
1403:

The driver which comes out on top will become the youngest ever triple world champion. If Vettel does it, he will become the first to win his first three titles titles in consecutive world titles.

The winner will join a prestigious list of champions who have won more than three: Michael Schumacher (7), Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Alain Prost (4),Jack Brabham (3), Jackie Stewart (3), Niki Lauda (3), Nelson Piquet (3),Ayrton Senna (3). Fine company indeed.
1400:

In 2010, Sebastian Vettel arrived at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi having never led the World Championship at any point that season and trailingFernando Alonso by 15 points. Come the chequered flag, the young German was world champion for the first time in his career.

Fast forward to Brazil and the positions are reversed. It's Alonso who trails Vettel, this time by 13 points, with 25 points left on the table. Vettel simply needs to finish fourth to win his third successive title. For Alonso, he needs to win with Vettel outside the top four, come second with Vettel outside the top seven, come third with Vettel 10th or lower.

Sundar&Santa Khatiwada Foundation

Pages

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Brazilian GP: Fernando Alonso has 'nothing to lose' in Vettel battle

Title maths: what Alonso has to do to beat Vettel

2012 Formula 1 drivers' title permutations

Brazilian Grand Prix

In Summary

About Me

Blog Archive

Search This Blog