I feel very proud of my team but I don’t think we lost it here we lost it
in some where we were unlucky but this is sport. When you do something 100%
with your heart you have to be happy.”
Final positions:
Leading Final Positions after Race (71 Laps): 1 Jenson Button (Gbr) McLaren
1hr 45min 22.656secs, 2 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:45:25.410, 3 Felipe
Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:45:26.271, 4 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:45:27.592, 5
Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India 1:45:28.364, 6 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red
Bull 1:45:32.109, 7 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes GP 1:45:34.563, 8
Jean-Eric Vergne (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:45:51.309, 9 Kamui Kobayashi
(Jpn) Sauber-Ferrari 1:45:53.906, 10 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Lotus F1 Team at 1
Lap, 11 Vitaly Petrov (Rus) Caterham at 1 Lap, 12 Charles Pic (Fra) Marussia
at 1 Lap, 13 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Scuderia Toro Rosso at 1 Lap, 14 Heikki
Kovalainen (Fin) Caterham at 1 Lap, 15 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes GP at 1
Lap, 16 Timo Glock (Ger) Marussia at 1 Lap, 17 Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) HRT-F1
at 2 Laps, 18 Narain Karthikeyan (Ind) HRT-F1 at 2 Laps, 19 Paul di Resta
(Gbr) Force India at 3 Laps
Not Classified: 20 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren 54 Laps completed, 21
Romain Grosjean (Fra) Lotus F1 Team 5 Laps completed, 22 Pastor Maldonado
(Ven) Williams 1 Lap completed, 23 Bruno Senna (Bra) Williams 0 Laps
completed, 24 Sergio Perez (Mex) Sauber-Ferrari 0 Laps completed
So it’s another record for Vettel, here’s the run down of what he has done
so far:
Youngest world champion: 23 years 135 days. Previous best: Lewis Hamilton 23
years 301 days.
Youngest back-to-back world champion: 24 years 99 days. Previous best:
Fernando Alonso 25 years 86 days.
Youngest triple world champion: 25 years 146 days. Previous best: Ayrton
Senna 31 years 214 days
Youngest three-in-a-row world champion: 25 years 146 days. Previous best:
Michael Schumacher 31 years 269 days.
Youngest winner of a grand prix: 21 years 74 days. Previous best: Fernando
Alonso 22 years 26 days.
Youngest driver on pole position: 21 years 73 days. Previous best: Fernando
Alonso 21 years 237 days.
Youngest driver on the podium: 21 years 74 days. Previous best: Fernando
Alonso 21 years 238 days.
Youngest driver to score a point: 19 years 349 days. Previous best: Jenson
Button 20 years 73 days.
Others include: youngest to participate in an official practice session at 19
years and 53 days, and youngest to lead a race at 20 years and 90 days.
However, Vettel is not the youngest to compete in a race. He is only seventh
on that particular list, with the honour going to Jaime Alguersuari at 19
years 125 days.
17.55 drivers come onto the podium, the British national anthem is
played out and Massa is bawling his eyes out!
DRIVERS WHO HAVE WON THREE OR MORE CONSECUTIVE TITLES:
Michael Schumacher 2000-2004
Juan Manuel Fangio 1954-1957
Sebastian Vettel 2010-2012
Heart breaking to see the look on Alonso’s face, he literally did everything
he could in that race and this whole season. Delighted to see he and
team-mate Massa on the podium with Button this afternoon.
17.48 Huge emotion from Horner on the radio to Vettel and I think he’s
crying because he is very quiet.
Lap 71 the safety car means that Vettel is I think the champion, Alonso
can do no more unless Button manages to spin off behind the safety car. What
a way to finish the race. Disappointing I think.
Lap 70 OH NO Kobayashi has spun off, he is not out of the race but
that’s not what he wants today at all. and it gets worse for Di Resta and he
has crashed out and my word this means safety car.
Lap 69 Alonso’s only hope now being Button spinning off. You have to
hand it to this Ferrari driver, his season has been formidable given his
car. Ferrari really not made enough improvements so the fact they’re even
still in the hunt is impressive, really impressive.
Lap 68 visibility really tough now for these drivers. Kobayashi doing
very well in his bid to attract a possible drive next season. Also going
well is Massa who’s been exemplary in the final stages of the season. Right
last few laps
Lap 67 Lap 67 well however this finishes this has been an awesome way
to end the season hasn’t it? Really if you’re only just joining I would
recommend you log off and watch the highlights! I don’t want to ruin it! I
honestly thought that seeing Vettel spin off on lap one that this was going
to be a breeze for Alonso but no. Way at the back it’s nice to see the HRTs
still on the track.
Lap 66 Pic helping Marussia for 10th place but I’ve just seen on
Twitter that he is driving for Caterham next season…that’s awkward right?
Button is backing off a little, his lap times are over a second slower.
Petrov has now overtaken Pic, hmmm i think that now means Caterham get 10th.
Confused? Me too.
Lap 65 Alonso needs something to happen to Vettel or to make up 21+
seconds on Button if he is to win. Great stat below from Tom Cary
Lap 64 Pic has got to 12th with Petrov 14th so Marussia look good at
the moment for the final constructors place. That’s been a brilliant
rollercoaster today. Now that Hamilton is out Ferrari look safe for second.
Interesting, Schumacher has pulled over for Vettel so he’s up into 6th.
Lap 63 clear directions for Vettel: “keep it on the track” I
think that’s because he is going super fast, play it safe my dear. Red Bull
constantly reminding him that his position is good enough.
Lap 62 Button happy on the tyre he is on [intermediate] he is 16.2
seconds ahead so Vettel needs to drop really if Alonso is to win. Very
straight forward pass from Alonso to second. Right currently, Vettel is
world champion by ONE POINT
Lap 61 am so sad for Hamilton this afternoon that’s at least the third
time this season he has been forced to retire with the situation beyond his
control and he is given a round of applause and standing ovation as he
enters the McLaren garage. Alonso catching Massa now but he needs to go 1st
of hope that Vettel drops a place.
Lap 60 now the rain is really falling so don’t rule out another tyre
change before the race ends. Vettel now looking to get past Schumacher to go
6th. If Alonso gets to the front Vettel has to finish in the top four.
Lap 59 there is debris coming off Vettel’s car which doesn’t bode well
for him but for now he is driving fine. Vettel currently in 7th and needs to
be 8th or lower for Alonso to win the title. Unbelievable you just couldn’t
write this script. Can Alonso overtake his team-mate (agiven) and catch
Button out front?
Lap 58 Alonso is closing in on 2nd place he just has to get past his
team-mate WHAT A FINALE!!! But Vettel for now is doing enough but there is
more rain coming.
That of course was the worst time for my computer to crash, my apologies.
Here are the permutations:
Vettel
wins the title if:
• He finishes in the top four
• He finishes 5th, 6th or 7th and Alonso is 2nd or lower
• He finishes 8th or 9th and Alonso is 3rd or lower
• He finishes 10th or lower (including not completing the race)
if Alonso is off the podium
Alonso wins the title if:
• He wins the race and Vettel is 5th or lower
• He finishes 2nd and Vettel is 8th or lower
• He finishes 3rd and Vettel is 10th or lower
Tied on points after the race?
The crown goes to Vettel on the basis of more race wins.
Lap 55-56 Alonso is now running 3rd and Vettel is back out in 12th so I
believe that is still Vettel’s title. It is so wet and this is a nightmare
for Ferrari as if he had pitted just then for slicks he would have one hand
on the title. What an error and it’s Alonso’s not his team’s.
Lap 54 another car spinning off and driving against the traffic is
Raikkonen, almost driving off on to the old track! OK Hamilton leads from
Hulkenberg then Button and Alonso 4th. Hold on forget that Hamilton and Hulk
have collided and it looks like Hamilton’s career at McLaren ends with
another retirement. WHAT A SHAME and I think that is at the fault of the
Force India driver.
Lap 53 Vettel pitting and they’re putting him on the soft slicks. It’s
a decent stop for the team. He’s struggling for grip though and I’m not sure
that is the best choice tyre from Red Bull, they only have to keep position
not climb. Why takes the risks?
Lap 52 Rosberg in and he’s on intermediates, that’s a brave [and
bizarre decision]. Drivers all starting to pit now and there’s so much
uncertainty on the weather. Toro Rosso have kept Ricciardo on the slicks.
Vettel told he is doing the same lap time as Alonso and that everyone is
struggling
Lap 51 rain not affecting his desire for speed though, Vettel is
flooring it and this is very gutsy driving! But trouble for Red Bull the
radio is not working they cannot hear him! That could be crucial as he’s
having problems with the car, another twist in the tale?
Lap 50 Perez thinks the race and title will be won in the final five
laps and I think he is right as the rain starts to get heavier in the early
corners. Vettel struggling to keep any heat in his tyres and is slipping
around all over the place.
Lap 49 here’s word from Sergio Perez whose race ended on the first lap. “I
ran into turn 4 after a good start and suddenly there was contact and
everyone came into me, Bruno and Sebastian. It’s a sad way to end the season
but I hope Kamui does a good job for the team. ” That’s the end of his
time with Sauber, he moves to McLaren next year.
Lap 48 Vettel told 100 per cent KERS up the hill and also on turn 13,
it’s his only change of overtaking Kobayashi then. Hamilton is back in the
lead!! The German Force India driver’s made an error and spins off on a
corner, such a shame but I think that might put McLaren back into second in
the constructors
Lap 47 Lap-times slowing up alot now because of this weather and also
the tyre wear. Button still only made one stop at the moment. As it stands
then, Vettel is champion as Alonso still running in 4th.
Lap 46 Petrov needs to gain just one more place to put Caterham above
Marussia at the moment. Rain is falling in the pit-lane. Tyres working very
hard in these conditions and more pits expected soon. Petrov now needs three
place as he’s locked up and gone off. Good news for Marussia
Lap 45 Rosberg told the rain will end shortly while Vettel told there
is plenty more coming…let’s see.
Lap 44 Vettel in the DRS zone to move on Kobayashi but again that
straight line speed letting him down. Hulkenberg struggling with the down
force of his car. Alonso four seconds behind third place Button.
Lap 43 Kobayashi still doing a great job in 6th at holding Vettel off
but Alonso is struggling to get himself anywhere near the McLarens. Webber’s
sliding again and that’s the fourth of fifth time this afternoon.
Lap 42 Hulkenberg saying he is unsure he will get to the end of the lap
I think, which is worrying, waiting for a replay on that but I think his
tyres are really shot. The sky is all kinds of dark and black…rain is
coming for round two!
Lap 41 next round of pit-stops looming. Hulkenberg is doing very very
well at the moment. Despite Hamilton’s speed the Force India is two seconds
ahead and holding his position well.
Lap 40 here’s word from Bruno Senna whose race ended on the first lap
after colliding with Vettel: “I had a good start I was inside Di Resta
and Vettel went straight across the track from his position and hit me. It
was a big hit and damaged the car too much.” Not ideal for the
Brazilian, at his home race and still not assured of a drive next year.
Lap 39 Vettel and Kobayashi saving up their KERS and they’re both going
for a move on Massa but the Red Bull has not got good pace at the moment/
Brilliant a little further back to see Schumacher and Raikkonen racing
wheel-to-wheel and that was brill! The Lotus just comes out in front.
Lap 38 Right good news for Ferrari, with Hulkenberg in the lead McLaren
are 3rd in the constructors. And I correct myself again, Marussia are 10th
as both Caterham cars have slipped in the standings here
Lap 37 Smedley to Massa: “Nice work mate we are P6, Kobayashi in
front, let’s get him as well.” Can you believe we are only half way
through this race! RAIN AT TURN 9. brace yourself. Massa’s taken Kobayashi.
Lap 36 Glock has dropped back to 20th so that’s no good for Marussia in
the chase for 10th place in the constructors, I keep mentioning that because
of the financial implications of finishing ahead of Caterham.
Lap 35 Hamilton is the fastest man on the track at the moment but still
not able to catch Hulkenberg, surely we won’t see a Force India win? Vettel
down to 7th but still champion as things stand. Schumacher’s dropped out of
the points but there’s a great duel going on between him and Raikkonen.
Lap 34 Massa is making a move on Vettel AND GETS THERE! It still
doesn’t help Alonso get the title but it’s a good move and that really
exposes how vulnerable the Red Bulls are in a straight line. If Alonso can
get to 3rd Vettel needs to be 10th or lower.
Lap 33 no messing about from Alonso and he has re-taken that position
from Kobayashi so Alonso now drives 4th, Vettel is 6th. Further back, great
news is that Schumacher has got himself into the top 10! The bad news for
Ferrari at the moment is that as things stand they lose the world title to
Red Bull and miss out on second place in the constructors to McLaren.
Lap 32 here comes Alonso really closing in on Button now for 3rd place
and remember, to stand a chance of winning the title, Alonso has to be on
the podium. Oh no, cancel that Kobayashi has now over taken the Ferrari, the
two title rivals are 5th and 6th now. Further back Di Resta makes an error
and drops three places.
Lap 31 Hamilton and Button not duelling again and the latter locks up
so Hamilton has gone 2nd now! He’s been showing good pace so it won’t be
long before he is in the front. Massa making am move on Di Resta, the
Ferrari really trying to get near Vettel now.
Lap 30 Di Resta now trying to make a move on Vettel and the Sauber
moving up one place is the only change of significance so far from the
re-start.
Lap 29 re-start and Hulkenberg is very fast out, well done him and a
Red Bull goes wide but it’s Webber not Vettel! Wow not going well for Webber
today is it. Kobayashi has overtaken Vettel and good for him he needs a job
next year!
Lap 29 OK come on now, we’re all in need of this race to re-start.
Hurrah, SC coming in this lap
Lap 28 problems now for the drivers is the safety car is not going fast
enough and tyres are cooling down too much. Intermittent showers are
forecast at the moment.
Lap 26-27 Glock has pulled himself together somewhat and now Marussia
lead Caterham in the constructors. If Vettel gets himself into 4th on the
re-start then Alonso will have to hope he spins off again. 4th or higher,
the title is Vettel’s.
1-10 on the re-start Hulkenberg, Button, Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel,
Kobayashi, Webber, Di Resta, Ricciardo, Raikkonen
Lap 24-25 SCThe damage to Vettel’s car is actually not as bad as
initially thought. Replays of the collision with Senna actually show that
the Williams car came off worse. Adrian Newey still studying those images.
Lap 23 OK everyone you have a chance to catch your breath, the safety
car is out so cars are bunching up and brace yourself for the re-start
because Vettel is right behind Alonso. I feel bad for Button and Hulknberg
as their HUGE lead now comes to nothing.
Lap 22 one man not driving well so far [besides Schumacher] is
Raikkonen he has been struggling since the start. Just four retirements so
far, Perez, Grosjean, Maldonado, and Senna. Alonso on the radio saying there
is too much debris on the track, not sure he wants a safety car though,
Vettel is right on his tail.
Lap 21 as things stand Vettel will take the title so I don’t imagine he
will want to risk his position for the podium but it would be nice.
Lap 20 OK so Hulkenberg leads from Button, Hamilton is 3rd, Alonso 4th
and Vettel 5th. Just 1.7 seconds between the title rivals.
Lap 19 Lap 19 slick tyres going on most of the cars now. Not to sound
down on Hulkenberg but never in a million live blogs did I expect to have
him as a leader! Delighted for him that was a very mature, well worked move
on Button. Vettel told to pit. The track is very, very slippery now.
Lap 18 Hamilton told that the rain is likely to be around for another
30 minutes, he doesn’t like that as his tyres are about to pack in.
HULKENBERG HAS OVERTAKEN BUTTON! Hamilton has pitted for the hard tyre
and Alonso is back in.
Lap 17 HOLD ON Hulkenberg is challenging Button for the lead,
brilliant, I don’t think I have seen a Force India in second place all
season and this will be a joy not only for that team but also for Sauber.
Red Bull studying pictures of the damage to Vettel’s car and Massa is behind
Vettel who is 3.5 seconds behind Alonso. Vettel told to pace himself
Lap 16 Here we go this is where the battle starts, Vettel is up to 5th
and is now chasing down Alonso, Massa is in the pits where will he emerge
and will he be able to hold Vettel off?
Lap 15 Glock has gone off the track and so now Caterham will be ahead
of Marussia in the constructors. Hamilton finding some real speed at the
moment but complaining about his tyres. Vettel has stormed up to 8th now and
Alonso is 4th.
Lap 14 Rosberg doing a brilliant job at holding Vettel, further ahead
Massa is still driving very well and Alonso is catching Vergne looking to go
4th. Blimey, Kovalainen is 9th and that is very good news for Caterham in
terms of where teams finish in the constructors.
Lap 13 Hulkenberg driving very well so far, he is in second and only
1.8 seconds behind Button. Vettel making the move on Rosberg for 13th and he
is denied. Pic is off the track, not out of the race but dropping back.
Button a staggering 19 seconds ahead of Hamilton in 3rd, he is a sensational
driver in these conditions
Lap 12 I can’t quite catch my breath! Hamilton has pitted but it was
not strong he stalled on his exit. After those pit stops then Vettel is 14th
and Alonso is ahead in 9th. Kobayashi, Pic, DLR and Rosberg between them.
Lap 11 Alonso has pitted as has Vettel they are in at the same time,
it’s great for Ferrari and it’s phenomenal from Red Bull. This is an amazing
recovery from Vettel, if you missed the start of this race he was dinked off
the track and was right at the back. he’s climbed back up brilliantly.
Button on the radio “it’s not raining” so he is staying out.
Lap 10 Vettel told: “Vettel told it is a long race, keep your car
on the black stuff that’s all we need.” He is also warned that
Massa is blocking a lot of drivers for Alonso. This is going to be/has
already been epic. Rain not expected to stop for a while yet.
Lap 9 other retirements to bring you then, Grosjean is out as are both
Williams drivers. Vettel is back into the points so at the moment Vettel has
the title. Not a great day yet for Schumacher who is back in 20th.
1-10 Button, Hamilton, Hulkenberg Alonso Massa, Vettel Di Resta, Rosberg
Vergne Ricciardo
Lap 8 Replays show Grosjean just had a lock up and spun off the track
before crashing into the wall at turn 11. Raikkonen has been in to put
intermediate tyres on his car. Button has overtaken Hamilton, he takes the
lead thses two are fighting on every single corner at the moment, brilliant.
Lap 6-7 we have a car off the track, Grosjean has crashed out but more
importantly at the fron the McLarens are really battling each other and it’s
brilliant to watch! WAIT A MINUTE another Red Bull is pointing the
wrong way and it’s Webber this time! I can’t keep up! Webber was hit by the
Sauber of Kobayashi
Lap 5 OH NO!!! Alonso goes off the track and he has lost places! Big
lock up but he’s done so well to keep the car on the track, not doing his
girlfriend any favours she’s still crying. Hulkenberg has gone third and the
Spaniard needs that place back. Crucially Webber remains behind him. DRS
disabled due to conditions
Lap 4 Replays of the start show Webber covering Vettel well but they
both had poor starts. Massa really shot out and was very quick to get to
second with Button giving him plenty of space. It was Senna that hit the
side of Vettel and the Williams must be damaged. Credit to Vettel he
controlled that collision very well indeed. Alonso’s girlfriend is crying
already, come on love we have at least 65 more laps of this.
Lap 3 it’s all going wrong for Red Bull at the moment as Hulkenberg
gets past Webber but hold your horses Vettel is flying through the pack and
has just done the fastest lap and is starting to climb.
Lap 2 Right that was an unreal start from Massa and he’s done
everything he could for his team-mate there without boshing Vettel off the
track. Perez is out of the race I am hearing, I’ll find out more when I can.
Lap one Vettel: “I have damage” WOW!!!! All pressure on
Webber at the moment, but Alonso is up to 3rd and thats where he needs to be
if Vettel does not score. Vettel told Red Bull CANNOT fix the damage, he has
to stay out!
First corner: Lights out and Hamilton is away fast, Massa shot out but
Vettel is slow! Really slow from Vettel and he is back! Massa is into second
Raikkonen is off the track!!! Vettel has been hit!!!!!
15.58 right, drivers set to go out on their formation laps, forgot to
mention this could also be the final race for HRT who’s future is about as
uncertain as any Chelsea manager’s. Also without a drive next season is
Heikki Kovalainen. Enjoy the race I think it’s going to be a cracker! Top 10
on the softer tyre to start everyone on dry, this start could be interesting
especially for Vergne who is sandwiched between Maldonado and Grosjean.
Here’s how the line up this afternoon:
1st row
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
2nd row
Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault)
Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull-Renault)
3rd row
Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari)
Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes)
4th row
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault)
5th row
Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes-AMG)
Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes)
6th row
Bruno Senna (BRA/Williams-Renault)
Sergio Perez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari)
7th row
Michael Schumacher (GER/Mercedes-AMG)
Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Sauber-Ferrari)
8th row
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)
Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault)
9th row
Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)
Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Renault)
10th row
Vitaly Petrov (RUS/Caterham-Renault)
Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham-Renault)
11th row
Timo Glock (GER/Marussia-Cosworth)
Charles Pic (FRA/Marussia-Cosworth)
12th row
Narain Karthikeyan (IND/HRT-Cosworth)
Pedro de la Rosa (ESP/HRT-Cosworth)
15.55 After the race keep an eye out for our F1 season awards. Our man
Tom Cary has chosen his nominees for a host of different categories and we
want you to decide the winner. As a teaser, here’s one of the moves
nominated for the over take of the year, it’s Raikkonen on Schumacher at Spa
HEAVIER RAIN NOW, right I’m going to be different and back Alonso to
win the title finishing second with Vettel suffering a car malfunction
Interlagos by numbers then:
Circuit length: 4.309km/2.68miles
Laps: 71
Race distance: 305.909km/190.10miles
Lap Record: Juan Pablo Montoya (2004) 1min 11.473secs
2011 pole position: Sebastian Vettel 1min 11.918secs
2011 winner: Mark Webber
2011 fastest lap: Mark Webber 1min 15.324secs
Number of corners: (10 left/5 right)
Tyre compounds to be used: hard/medium
Overtaking chance: low
Average lap speed: 205kph (127.39mph)
2011 winning strategy: 3 stops (laps 18, 38, 58)
2011 total race pit stops: 57
2011 total ‘normal’ overtakes: 11
2011 total DRS overtakes: 7
Number of safety cars over last 10 years: 6
15.50 another piece of news to bring you before we take a cloer look at
the track. I was sad to hear this morning of Sauber’s decision to let Kamui
Kobayashi go after confirming that Esteban Gutiérrez will be their second
driver alongside Nico Hulkenberg in 2013. They also added that Robin Frijns
would becomne their new test and reserve driver.
Monisha Kaltenborn said in a statement: “I would very much like to
say a few words about Kamui Kobayashi as well. Over the last three years
Kamui has shown us he is not only a fierce competitor on the track, but also
a wonderful person and fantastic team player. Every member of our team has
the greatest respect for him, and his podium in Japan was a particularly
emotional moment for all of us. This has not been an easy decision for us to
take, but we have committed ourselves to a new beginning and our time with
Kamui will come to an end after the final two races of the season. We wish
Kamui all the best for the future.”
Unfortunately the statement wasn’t re-written and saying the Kobayashi would
see out the last two races suggests this press release was due out before
Austin.
Am a fan of Kobayashi and seeing him on the podium at Suzuka was fantastic
this season, really hope he gets another drive. Where do we think he could
end up?
Ferrar and Mercedes have not confirmed their test drivers while Lotus and
Force India are yet to complete their driver lineups. There are also drives
available at Williams and Caterham and with a huge question mark hanging
over Senna, Kobayashi to Williams could e a good punt…
15.46 But this is the forecast
15.45 WE HAVE RAIN DROPS IN SAO PAULO!!!!!
Here’s what our man Tom Cary tweeted earlier…seems the weather is changing
15.44 So which way will the title go? I ran a poll asking you all this
week and after seven days of voting it’s gone in Vettel’s favour with 65 per
cent of you backing the German to clinch his third crown today. Part of me
just can’t help wonder if Red Bull really have sorted their car issues out
from last week and to back Alonso… but that said Alonso winning this race
seems a little beyond him [especially given that he will need Vettel 8th of
lower] so I’m torn. I’m going to think about it a little more…I’ll give
you my prediction in 10 minutes.
15.40 Alonso wants chaos in Sao Paulo as he knows that in normal race
conditions, Vettel has one hand on the title:
I know that, at least under normal conditions, we are not in with a chance
of fighting for the win. I am therefore hoping for a chaotic race… the
rain could be an important factor even if, in the wet, it is riskier for
everyone. The high point is to be sitting here, with a car that is
constantly eighth (in qualifying) in the last races, but we are still
talking about the world championship fight. This is something that is not
normal, so I’m very proud of this and the achievements we have had this
year. If we’d had a normal season, taking the points off someone similar
with our cars, then you say bye bye to the championship in Monza or
Singapore and have very relaxed races in the last part of the championship,
as we had last year.”
15.38 Meanwhile, Vettel starts fourth, behind the two McLarens of Lewis
Hamilton and Jenson Button and alongside his Australian team mate Mark
Webber. The German has a 13-point lead and needs only to finish fourth.
15.35 The suggestion he will take Vettel out has clearly riled him.
Here’s what he had to say in Sao Paulo last night.
I’ve always been an honest person and an honest driver. And that will
continue to be the case. My limit is the limit of the regulations, and I
will stay true to this limit.”
15.33 So, here’s the deal today. Alonso starts in 7th, it’s not ideal
but with Ferrari replacing Massa’s gear-box in Austin in order to promote
their No 1 driver what tricks do we think the team’s got up their sleeve
this afternoon? Will they ask Massa to do a [successful] Schumacher circa
1997 when the German driver tried to ram into his title rival Jacques
Villenueve? I’m surprised they allowed their No 2 driver to out qualify
Alonso but I don’t think that is really Massa’s style is it?
15:30 Right then, just a note on the supposed record Vettel will break
if he wins. Yes he will becomes the youngest triple world champion BUT so
will Alonso if he wins. The Spaniard would be 94 days younger than Ayrton
Senna was when he clinched his third.
15.25 right back to the permutations, here’s how it looks:
Vettel
wins the title if:
• He finishes in the top four
• He finishes 5th, 6th or 7th and Alonso is 2nd or lower
• He finishes 8th or 9th and Alonso is 3rd or lower
• He finishes 10th or lower (including not completing the race)
if Alonso is off the podium
Alonso wins the title if:
• He wins the race and Vettel is 5th or lower
• He finishes 2nd and Vettel is 8th or lower
• He finishes 3rd and Vettel is 10th or lower
Tied on points after the race?
The crown goes to Vettel on the basis of more race wins.
15.22 It’s also a momentous day for Lewis Hamilton who races his final
Grand Prix for McLaren before he takes Schumacher’s drive at Mercedes. Have
a look at this gallery of the British
driver’s 14 years with McLaren
15:18 The final clip from the plethora of Schumacher moments is perhaps
the most moving. Here he is post race at Monza in 2000 when he was told he
had equalled Ayrton Senna on 41 race wins. Let me know your favourite
moments from an incredible career.
15.15 remember this from 1994? Schumacher and Damon Hill arrived in
Adelaide with just one point between them and the German led the early part
of the race but as the Brit closed in Schuey went off the track. With Hill
coming through Schumacher rammed into the side of his car. The incident
forced them both out of the race and as a result Schumacher became Germany’s
first world champion though many accused him of cheating. Here’s the video:
15.10 remember how last year Vettel ran away with the championship and
wrapped it up a month or so before the final race? Well pish to that if you
look at Schumacher’s career. Back on 2002 he’d clinched his fifth world
title after just 11, YES 11, races and had his name on that trophy THREE
MONTHS before the season ended. To better that he also finished on the
podium in every single race that season.
15.06 Today marks the end of an era for Michael Schumacher as he calls
time on his sensational career for the second time. Before I bring you some
of the key moments form that career, have a look at his F1
times in pictures.
14.55 Good morning/afternoon/evening F1 fans wherever you are
joining me for the final live blog of the season and my final live blog with
Telegraph Sport. Can you believe it’s the end of the 2012 season already!?
The down side is of course that we go into just over three months of very
dull Saturdays and Sundays but on the upside for the first time in a few
years the title is going down to the wire and we’re in for a real treat at
Interlagos today, I can just feel it!
I don’t need to remind you where the title race stands but on the off chance
you’ve snoozed your way through the last few races (which I doubt because
Abu Dhabi and Austin were sensational) here’s how things look. Sebastian
Vettel is 13 points clear of his only rival for the crown Fernando Alonso.
Permutations to follow but before they do let’s take a look at the news.
Here’s how the line up this afternoon:
1st row
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
2nd row
Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault)
Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull-Renault)
3rd row
Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari)
Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes)
4th row
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault)
5th row
Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes-AMG)
Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes)
6th row
Bruno Senna (BRA/Williams-Renault)
Sergio Perez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari)
7th row
Michael Schumacher (GER/Mercedes-AMG)
Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Sauber-Ferrari)
8th row
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)
Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault)
9th row
Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)
Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Renault)
10th row
Vitaly Petrov (RUS/Caterham-Renault)
Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham-Renault)
11th row
Timo Glock (GER/Marussia-Cosworth)
Charles Pic (FRA/Marussia-Cosworth)
12th row
Narain Karthikeyan (IND/HRT-Cosworth)
Pedro de la Rosa (ESP/HRT-Cosworth)