The race in Interlagos, Brazil didn't give us the Drivers Champion for the first time in six seasons but it did today crown Red Bull as Constructors Champions after Red Bull secured a one-two finish. With Hulkenberg sitting on pole with a slower car it his job to stall the contenders in their quest. However the Red Bull drivers both escaped from Hulkenberg with Vettel now leading team mate Webber. The second lap saw Alonso pass Hamilton into fourth as Hamilton's Championship hopes slowly faded. But it took another five laps before Hulkenberg's resistance was broken and Alonso then moved up to third. Hamilton manage to pass Hulkenberg into fourth due to the pit window and the places remained that way until the end. Barrichello managed to finish the race but his Brazil hoodoo continued as he suffered a tyre puncture on lap 35. The only incident of the race was Liuzzi crashing on lap 51 to bring out a safety car. The race result in full:
1. Vettel (Red Bull), 2. Webber (Red Bull), 3. Alonso (Ferrari), 4. Hamilton (McLaren), 5. Button (McLaren), 6. Rosberg (Mercedes), 7. Schumacher (Mercedes), 8. Hulkenberg (Williams), 9. Kubica (Renault), 10. Kobayashi (Sauber), 11. Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), 12. Sutil (Force India), 13. Beumi (Toro Rosso), 14. Barrichello (Williams), 15. Massa (Ferrari), 16. Petrov (Renault), 17. Heidfeld (Sauber), 18. Kovalainen (Lotus), 19. Trulli (Lotus), 20. Glock (Virgin), 21. Senna (Hispania), 22. Klien (Hispania), 23. Di Grassi Retired: Liuzzi (Force India).
This means that mathematically there are still four possible contenders for the Driver's Championship which will be decided next week in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton currently sits in fourth and must win and hope the other three fail to pick up any points if he's to be champion. Vettel is currently third in the standings and if he wins the race next week he will be tied with Webber if he finishes second and also tied with Alonso if he finishes fifth. If Alonso finishes higher he will be crowned champion. The only way Webber would lose the Championship if he wins the race next week is if Alonso finishes second. There are many other permutations but these are the simplest.
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