The Brazilian Grand Prix - Qualifying Formula 1

It was as if Formula One was going through a nice stage. Generosity

all around. Politeness. Police, it is your turn. How kind! Would

somebody as like a go? Seven races, seven different winners. Fernando

Alonso, the back to back champion of 2005/ 2006 broke the mould.

Enough of this, this is grand prix racing. Other big names followed,

removing the cloak of courtesy. Where was the champion of the past

two years? He had won in Bahrain, had a couple of seconds and a third.

Sebastian Vettel, where were you? He was here - Singapore, Japan,

Korea and India - four straight wins. Then a third place in Abu

Dhabi, a second in US. Where is Sebastian Vettel? Out in front

again. The swirling niceness of the early days gives way to this.

Formula One down to the wire, where it should be. And doesn't Eddie

Jordan right just beautifully! Welcome to a special one - the

place where it will all unfold - Interlagos. It is a favourite with

the fans and out in force. In just over 24 hours, one will leave with

a broken heart, the other big the 2012 Formula One World Championship

trophy. I had a couple of friends I have enjoyed hanging out with for

the past four years. When you look back, you almost forget how amazing

the start was to the season with the seven different winners.

the focus is on Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. The season was

playing out like no other. The level of competitiveness started to

trail off. The real victims started to show their performance and Red

Bull, McLaren and Ferrari went the distance. There has been a lot to

enjoy. You love an underdog. Was it the Williams win or this intense

battle for the title? The Williams of one stands out more than the

other. The whole weekend was an explosion. Nobody could ever

imagine Williams coming back from the doldrums they were in the

previous year. That was the success - a surprise - for me this year.

The Williams one sticks in my mind. It has been a great year. We have

loved sharing it with you. Thank you for joining the BBC today. If

you look straight up, you can see the beautiful sunshine has now been

replaced by a blanket of cloud. There is rain in the air. We will

wait to see how that affects qualifying. Qualifying is coming

live at 4pm. Now we will celebrate the Formula One constructors

champions. We will talk about Louis Houten leaving McLaren. And Michael

Schumacher leaving the sport. -- I hope they will be OK. Lots of

panned out. By the end of tomorrow, the drivers will have raised to

1195 laps. There are now 71 left to go. It is fascinating as we stand

next to the car of Sebastian Vettel to see his dominance did not get

going until a few weeks ago. When we left Europe, it was pretty

shocking up to there. We left mums that and everything else turned

into heaven. He won four on the trot. He does look the favourite

for this weekend. We are taking a look inside the garage. Always a

special things to do when a team is fighting for the Championship. They

have the speed and the points in a bag. They are strong favourites.

Let's make no mistake. This track has suited the Red Bull car in

previous years. They come here with a previous Championship lead.

Through the three practice sessions, it was very hot on Friday and Club

this morning. They have been there or thereabouts. -- and cooler This

morning. It is incredibly close. It is the second shortest circuit we

have on the character -- the calendar. It is feeling closer than

it has done all weekend. How happy will Fernando Alonso be about that?

He has every reason to have a lot of concerns. Forget the weather.

That may play into his hands. What he will be disappointed about is

the upsurges of other teams. McLaren has been so strong here.

Force India has been so strong. All of these could be potential

problems for him. He needs to be very close to proposition and he

needs to win. Opposition has never been stronger. It is a very

daunting task for him. We will wait to see how qualifying unfolds later

on. Probably the biggest worry of all has unfolded in a boardroom

instead cut. That means every single race for this Hamilton of

McLaren means more than ever. He told us he was desperate to deliver

one last team -- one last win for the team from Woking. Lights out. A

way we go. Hamilton trying to vote on the inside. Sebastian Vettel has

the lead. A good start for Fernando Alonso. Hamilton up the inside of

the weather. -- Mark Webber. Hamilton has the move to clean the

done this time. Jenson Button dicing with Michael Schumacher.

Michael does what Michael does. In the end, Jenson Button get through.

Kimi Raikkonen has a chance on Hulkenberg. Can he go round the

outside? That was a wonderful move! Great stuff. Mark Webber is in

trouble. He has pulled off the road. It may be more than a basic KERS

issue. Lewis Hamilton on the attack. Sebastian Vettel knows it. Hamilton

sweeps past him. He controlled it beautifully. Lewis Hamilton takes

the lead in the US Grand Prix. He will try to go round the outside of

Kimi Raikkonen. They are so I be sad. -- side by side. Lewis

Hamilton comes out of the final corner to take back-to-back

victories in the US Grand Prix. soon as the red light went out in

Austin, it means so much to win. A real pleasure to see them wheel to

wheel. Two fantastic drivers. They will be legends in the sport long

after they retire. Disappointing to have lost but Sebastian Vettel was

applauding Lewis Hamilton as he passed. It is all a bit loud in the

garage right now. He has seemed like a different guy in and outside

of the car since the move was announced. It looks as if the

shackles have been released. He has made a very tough decision. He has

been quite vocal about the time he left with McLaren. Nevertheless he

is looking for the new challenge. That challenge will come because

Mercedes need to get back together to give him a cup. One thing we

have not touched on his the gearbox of Filipe Massa and Fernando Alonso

being moved forward. Some fans did not like that. With the greatest of

respect to their fans, the rules are the rules. It is within the

rules for the teams to do such a thing. You are trying to maximise

your chances of the team winning. Only one driver can win arrays and

one driver can win a Championship. -- a race. When you look at the

bare facts, Fernando Alonso qualified 9th. On Turn One he was

forced. He finds more within himself and any driver I have seen

in the past couple of decades. -- than any driver. The equipment he

has got is poor. You have to give full credit to Fernando Alonso. He

has done a sterling job. Is it enough to win the Championship?

Personally, it is a big ask. that matters for Lewis Hamilton is

that he managed to pick up the win. Perhaps a reminder for McLaren

How much have you changed profession? Before, you had raised

his chest to race. When you enter Formula One, everything changes. --

races just to raise. Money, fame, all these things come into it. You

are thrown into one pot. You do not know what is going on. It has

definitely taken a while to grow up and grow into it. I am still doing

so. I do not regret things that have happened. They have happened

for a reason. Hopefully they will turn me into a better person than I

am today. Hopefully people will still respect me for the abilities

I have and for my commitment. There is never a shadow of doubt about

how committed I am. Can you think back to your first weekend of

racing for McLaren? I had been preparing for it my whole life and

I felt like I was ready. I was nervous. I was in the zone that

weekend. Overtaking everyone at the first corner was the greatest

feeling. Let's talk about your Championship victory. How does his

stick in your mind when he had been through all those emotions? I was

not as ecstatic as when I won in Austin. I was emotionally drained

in that race. I had it and I lost it. Emotions were on the limit and

beyond. I can be extremely proud to have a World Championship. Would I

want to do that day again? Definitely not. If you had one or

World Championships come up with to be leaving McLaren? -- if you had

won a Mort World Championships, would you be leaving McLaren?

think so. I feel like I am leaving my home and going elsewhere. I have

learnt my skills and have all the right tools to go out and tries and

indifferent. McLaren will always be my home. -- try something different.

When the chequered flag has fallen and you go back into the garage,

how will that feel? I think I might have to keep my helmet on. It will

be really tough. It will be tough because it is my family and they

grew up with them. It is best not to talk about it to match. Do you

get choked up? I hope you have the great weekend and it really

finishes on a high and you can enjoy your last bidets at McLaren.

I will do, definitely. -- last few days. My MRS tells me that every

We will all be rooting for Lewis Hamilton. Martin Whitmore -- what

marches alongside me. It will be very emotional at the end of the

race. At the moment we are worried about the rain, we are worried

about qualifying, we want to win this race. That is the focus and

that overtakes everything. I predict the release of that emotion

will be as we crossed the line. We will worry about that will we get

to that bit of the weekend. When Lewis crossed the line in Alston,

were you sitting there, thinking, you are amazing, or were you

thinking, what have we done? I was thinking he is amazing. If you are

meaning what have we done, is he a loss to the team, losing some of

his capability is a loss to any team. We never hide from that. But

he has made a decision, he explained he wanted that challenge.

So we've got to get on with it. At the moment it is about winning as

many races as we can together. He has been with us, this is his 110

Grand Prix. He's been on the podium for nearly half of those. So we

want to make it one last win. We will worry about the emotion

tonight, then look forward to having an exciting here next year.

When I came back to the garage after my last race with McLaren,

everybody had disappeared. I used - - are you still emotionally

scarred? It was a throwaway line, an attempt at humour. You held on

very tight, it was wonderful. Where does he rate, of all of the drivers

you have worked with? McLaren have a long history, beyond your time

there. How does he rate? Whom do I rate? Where does he rate? It's

impossible to say. As you know, I was fortunate enough to join at the

end of the Ayrton Senna era. He has to be somebody that you rate highly.

Mika Raikonnen, we've had a lot of great drivers. He's a great one.

David Coulthard, of course. He was up there as well. The I'll just

recover my foot, he has been You are a team boss and you have to

go and talk to your people in the factory. You have to motivate them

and create something special for next year. I'm now looking forward.

What do you say to them? The fact is, we have a great, established

team player in Jenson Button. And we got the excitement. In truth, we

don't know if Sergio is going to be a world championship contender next

year. We have taken a punt, if you like. He's incredibly young, 22.

Flashes of brilliance. He might be erratic now, but that's the

challenge for the winter. That's the great thing, motivating in

Formula One is really so easy. We'd love racing. Not being beaten is a

big motivation. That is what we will be there for. I'm not worried

about that, we will look forward to that. It's exciting to have

something new. Lewis will go to Mercedes with lots of motivation.

He'll want to make a personal difference there. He will find that

stimulating for a while. Hopefully, at some point, he will find it

frustrating. They are a big team and I'm sure they will be strong

next year. Our aim is to be stronger. Have a good weekend. If

you need a couple at the end of the race, David is the man for that.

I'll put a tissue in your pocket because you might need that for the

afternoon. Possibly wiping champagne off! Who knows? The Rhys

is off to Mercedes, which means he goes into a seat vacated by Michael

Schumacher, who leaves the sport 21 years after he first sat in one of

Michael Schumacher, where he belonged. Behind the wheel of his

prancing horse. A combination that struck fear into his opponents and

rewrote every record in the book. But it seemingly wasn't enough. He

wanted more. He returned to the track and it wasn't the same.

Nobody could have thought it would go like it did. We take a world

champion team, you take Mercedes and you take me. So, you think,

we've got to be fighting for a championship by that stage? It just

is not working for Michael. Things turned out different. There were a

good reason why they were different. We worked on them. This challenge

of building up a new team again, being in that process, it was a

different challenge that I expected. I did enjoy it, yes. And I still do.

Can I enjoy it as much as winning races? No. Winning races and

championships, I would have enjoyed more. He's a five-times world...

Six-time world Formula One... Eight time world Formula One champion.

Here comes Michael Schumacher! He's brilliant, he's on pole! What other

moments that stand out for you? That's amazing pole lap in Monaco?

That's good for the outside. It still explains the outside well,

actually. He isn't too old, he's still capable of doing so. For me?

Yes, it's good moments. But I've had plenty of other good moments.

That is what I am looking for. Afterwards, I have the feeling that

I have done a good job. So, what was the problem? Some began to

question whether he had lost that belief in himself that made him so

special. Was Michael Mark 2 different? People asked, why is he

not as good as used to be? And I don't really know. The incident

worth run a seller, those uncharacteristic Schumacher

moments? He does it for the second year in a row, he runs into the

back of another car! Actually, for the Bruno Senna one, I think it

reflects on why I am what I am. Because I am so much ahead with my

thinking, if somebody does something unexpected, I am out of

position. And this is actually my strength. That is why I am so good

on or off the start manoeuvres. That is why I have been so good

over so many years. But that incident caught me out. Even after

the last three years didn't come out to what we were hoping and

expecting, you look at all of it and you say that it was a really

good time. And everybody will have a favourite Michael Schumacher

moment from over the years? I hope so. Do you have something? Maybe

not something of this? Well, it has been very obvious, it is probably

the milestone of what I have achieved. Moving to Ferrari, a lot

of people questioned it. It turned out to be the move, it turned out

to be the most successful period I had. And that moment is obviously

Japan in 2000. A brilliant race for Michael Schumacher, to win the

World Championship, to give Ferrari their dream. Not only because I did

win the race and the championship, but how the race was going. That

race is the best race I probably ever did. Just so much on the edge.

Then the result on top. So, that is How would you like to be

remembered? I have said it before, I think I am just a racer. I am

racing until nothing works, nothing does. Full commitment, that is what

I am. To the edge, that is my life. As the curtain falls tomorrow, we

all thank Michael for a fantastic career. I think even his current

team enjoyed that and said that he crashed into Bruno Senna because he

was too clever with him! What has it been like? It has been a real

pleasure to work with Michael, as it was in the earlier period.

Clearly, it was frustrating and we didn't get the results we were

hoping for. But working with him, his commitment and professionalism,

it has still been top-level. A real pleasure. Happy birthday for

yesterday. We have to make reference to these things. Just

moving on a little bit, I'm always trying to think into the future.

What do you now do to get as much information as you can from Lewis?

Well, the relationship officially starts at the beginning of next

year. It is to meet all of the engineers, get to know each other.

Once we start testing, once we get into the car, we are familiar with

each other. I know Lewis to talk to, but I have never worked with him.

We need to spend some time together, we need to understand what sort of

car he would like to drive in terms of his balance, his characteristics.

I know the word is bonding, but there is that bonding that we need

to start with the Rhys and started integrating into the team.

going to take it away from Michael and talk about the fact that I can

feel spits of rain on my head. Explain very quickly, how do you do

eight tactic for qualifying when it might be wet and it could be dry

tomorrow? Well, minimum risk. We have to pick our moments. Can we

move under? Can we do that? It is not spitting, it is proper rain.

You've got to be out there in the right windows. Put a lot of fuel in

the car, make sure you keep running at the right time. The track will

be going up and down. We suspect it will be in consistent. If we get a

lot of rain now and we don't get any more, the track will be drying

out and getting quicker during qualifying. You must be out at the

end of each section. Good luck of qualifying, we will seek out the

rain pans out and sorry for inviting you out just as the

heavens open. Well, he's going to have to overcome the new triple

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

Yes, have done it! Well done, great Thank you, boys. I told you! Never

We congratulate everyone at Red Bull for this amazing season. The

drivers' championship, still to be resolved. 13 points between Vettel

and Alonso. This is the import number when it comes to the

constructors. After 19 races, Red Bull, 440 points. A remarkable

number. Look behind us, they are all wimps in Formula One! Five

minutes ago, glorious sunshine, everybody out here enjoying the

build-up to the race. Christian, very wisely, staying in this little

dry patch. We were just enjoying a look back at not just your trouble

Formula One championship, but also the teams that you have joined,

Ferrari, Williams and McLaren. When we spoke after Alston, you're just

thinking about the drivers' championship. Have you allowed this

achievement to sink in? Over the week it has sunk in. For every

member of the team, it is just remarkable. To have achieved what

we have, 34 wins, 80 podiums, three consecutive world titles, against

such strong opposition. It's something every member of the team

can be fiercely proud of. This weekend, hugely important, the

whole world wants to know the outcome. How do you approach this?

The poll back from that aggressive way of raising or do you go for

medium-risk? I think the danger is that if you change your approach

then you are at risk of entering into the unknown. Our approach is

the same as the other 19 races. Attack the event, did the best job

we can, get as much as we cannot of qualifying and then the race. Then

just see where we are. We cannot control what others do, we have to

focus on ourselves. You have managed to podium in the past six

races. If you do that tomorrow, you are guaranteed to be champions.

What will you be telling Sebastian Vettel? He's very focused, he

enjoys the track, he enjoys being part of the championship challenge.

He's fought from 40 points behind to get himself into the lead coming

into this final race. His approach will be no different to the other

races. We have a massive opponent in Fernando. Whoever emerges on

Sunday as the champion will be fully deserving, after the season

that both of them have driven. Thank you. Talking of Fernando, I

wonder how much Christian has learned from Ferrari's Challenge in

2010, when they were leading coming into the final race and Red Bull

walked away with the trophy. Maybe Thank you for your time, ahead of a

nerve-racking II -- moment. You have scored twice as many points as

your competitors in wet races. These statistics belong to the past.

No one can predict what will happen. Apparently, this shower will be

very short and then there will be another period of dried thyme and

then maybe some more rain. -- dry time. The focus has to be on

scoring points tomorrow. Four times vitiate you have had results to

enable you to win the championships. -- four times this year. How will

you keeping your guys calm and motivated? We have nothing to lose.

We have to do the best ways we can and see where Sebastian Vettel will

be. -- per best race. We need to make sure we did the best race that

we can with no mistakes. We need to see this race as the race itself

without thinking to match. Legs start to tremble. I know you do not

like to look back. Have you ever seen the future? What do you seek

tomorrow evening? I have been in Formula One many years. I remember

dramatic endings in Brazil - positive and negative. We need to

be positive. This is the approach we need to have tonight. Thank you

for that and thank you for giving us a great season. A bit of honesty

from him. He says he will have trembling legs if things do not go

to plan. Nicky ladder is alongside us. Shabby get his thoughts? Nice

to see you. -- shall we get his thoughts? In normal circumstances,

Sebastian Vettel should win. Lewis Hamilton is the pole position by

under normal circumstances. Is that because you are now involved in

Mercedes? Noah macro! It is my objective opinion. -- No. I thought

that was a really honest interview from him. It mixes things up. When

you have dry conditions were drivers at this level, it is more

predictable delivering a good lap time. When you have the track built

on the side of the hill, you can be unlucky with running water. They

will be hoping that the statistics plate in her favour. They have been

the most successful team in the wet. -- play in their favour. Everything

they have learned all goes out of the window with a damp track.

historical data. Everything on Friday morning and Saturday-morning

is pretty much junk. This is why Formula One is so special. Coming

to Interlagos is a good place to be. We had a hugely unpredictable start

to the season. If you are looking for a circuit to give you

unpredictability, this is the place. Sao Paolo is a mind-blowing

experience - a roller-coaster. man has not yet got a seat in

Formula One but as of 2013, he will After 19 races and 18 different

winners, two men could take the World Championship crown. Fernando

Alonso and Sebastian Vettel had two championships to their name.

Obviously, last year was a bit different. Compared with two years

ago, we're in a better can -- position. Let's see what we can do.

It could be fantastic but let's not talk about that now. The revolving

door of drivers continues to turn. The young Mexican driver will

partner Nico Hulkenberg. That means Kamui Kobayashi maybe leaving

Formula One and their -- unless he gets another seat elsewhere. It is

thought that Petrov and Kimmie -- Heikki Kovalainen might both be out.

Bad news at HRTs. They face a race against time to get a buyer. If

they do not, the Grid will drop to 22 cars. It sounds like plenty of

drivers are leaving Formula One at the end of the season. We up

alongside a man who is joining the fray. He is only 21 and making us

all feel very cold. You have had three wins in GP 2. Are you ready

to step into the world of Formula One? I am ready for the challenge.

After a long introduction to Formula One, how I see things, my

career has been going through a BMW and Formula Three, GP 2, it is like

college enough -- College. Now I am graduating. I am excited am looking

forward to face this challenge. I need to be very realistic and take

things step-by-step. We have seen a remarkable job, particularly the

enthusiasm in Mexico that Sergio Perez has done. Do you think you

can follow up in those footsteps and drive this introduction even

further into Formula One? interest of people in Mexico has

been growing. As well with my involvement in the races. With the

race in Austin, it was great to see the fans around. For us, of course,

I plan to do my best. First of all on the sporting side, because it is

our responsibility. To share all this with the people is very

special. Hopefully we can grow as a team - a Mexican team. We have an

expression in English that you wait all day for a bus and then a bunch

of them come along at one time. It seems that way with Mexican drivers.

What advice to make that last step? It is true. People say a very high

challenge has been made. Basically, my mentality is to be focused on my

pace. I want to make the right been put into Formula One. I am 21 years

old. It will be my first year. I'm ready for the challenge. It is not

going to be something easy. I'm going to do my best and everyone

can expect that from me. I will work in the men's professional way

possible. We will be cheering for you next year. You have had your

education and now it is time to go out into the world of work. Thank

you very much. It is a pleasure to be here. You are not here yet. One

more ways to go. One thing we do know for certain is that this man

will be in a car next year and that tomorrow the world title will be

one might hear in Brazil. -- the world title will be won right here

and look at the circuit. It does feel different, doesn't it? This

racetrack has evolved from what was an old oval into the circuit we

have today. A lot of passion from the grandstand on Sunday. You can

see how close we are to the city. It is all around us. It has given

as title-winning moments over the years. Shall we walk along the

hallowed track? Come on! Let's start at the start of the lap. Back

in 2000, who is Hamilton led the Championship. It all went wrong.

The one person he did not want to overtake him did. This is one of

the most beautiful parts of the track. You have Sao Paolo in the

distance. Rubens Barrichello was in pole position. He needed to win the

race to get the Championship. Little went wrong here.

interesting moment for Jenson Button. It changed the whole

complexion of the Grand Prix. Suddenly he believed it was

possible and he came through. Jenson Button, World Championship

2009! Not a happy his place for you. This is where it all ended. -- not

the happiest place. There was a horrible moment when you walked off

and wait to glance at the grandstand. That was your departure.

This is not a nice complex to have cars in front of you and behind you.

On the track like this, qualifying times will be closer than they have

been all season. Unlucky for 2008. In 2012, you make it past turned

two. Back in 2007, later on in the race, by the time Lewis Hamilton

came into the second set, he must have been thinking, it is not going

to happen for me this year. remembered the images. The car

pulled over. All the main contenders past him. The engine

Reset and the gearbox we said and off he set chasing the game.

dream is over for Lewis Hamilton. Let's imagine it is 2005. You are

Fernando Alonso. I am Kimi Raikkonen. He won the title. Is

that the trade mark of him - knowing what he needs to do and

doing it? He is the benchmark of all the drivers. He is the complete

package. Fernando Alonso, Formula One world champion. Regardless of

what happens in qualifying, he has to pledge. Check out Juan Pablo

Montoya? He is way too skinny. last corner when Lewis Hamilton

went past Timo Glock and backed himself the world title. Take the

turn in third gear and they have a massive climb, up through the last

turn. It is a bit of a neck venture. Down to the line. It all came down

to Timo Glock. He did not have the grip and it allowed Lewis Hamilton

to sneak through. Jenson Button had really bad year. His car was on

fire. A few guys on Sunday night will want to set fire to their cars,

that is for sure. If only Eddie was here. Is your hands sweating or

mine? Yours! That bit was not meant to make the television. Surrey.

would not have held either of your hands. You were not expecting a

Christmas card from Juan Pablo Montoya, were you? Assent in a copy

of my book. He is not particularly polite about him in the book. I

know you have had success around here. What would you be saying to

the team? Every racing driver wants instant success, instant results

and the performance that gets them in pole position today. A race team

is thinking, what is our objective? Getting the maximum they can on

Sunday. Keeping the dry settings on the car. I do not think they will

go for shorter gears and more downforce. You have to plan for the

race day and that is invariably try. If you get it wrong, you pay a

penalty. The risk is more by altering the settings. We are

hearing it may well be drier tomorrow. You have to be careful

about a knee-jerk reaction. If your car is capable of getting on the

front row and you run it with light wing, you are far honourable from

some of the middle teams. If you look historically, if they

qualified mid grid and there is an incident on the first corner, they

tend to run with the lead pack. If they can get out of the true

qualifying position, it can help them in a dry race. You can end up

being behind someone and someone trying not to be in the DRS then.

It can be difficult. You should have become a team bus. I guess the

priority is to make sure that Sebastian Vettel and Fernando

Alonso do not qualify in midfield. Going into turns two and three, you

the race. So don't assume anything. Don't write anybody off. The topsy-

turvy style means that anything is possible. You are the only man who

could have crowbar to an answer about Jordan winning a race into

still working so hard to make sure that their technical updates keep

them just a little bit in front of their opponents. So, what have

Ferrari and Red Bull done as we get to Brazil? It may be the last rays

of the season, but the top teams are still bringing Major the

balance to this race. They have to win the last race to make sure they

understand the performance of the car. If you look at Ferrari, its

front wing detail allows airflow to go through and it gives more

consistent downforce. On the front wing, you can see how complicated

it is. The output of the main wing, there are five slots alarming more

consistent airflow to the underneath of the wing. When the

front wheels are steered, it means they get more consistent downfalls.

It's very important for cornering. Red Bull, a similar concept. Their

gaps are quite a lot shorter. They are really just controlling that

one little area, where the front wheel sits behind the front wing.

Again, it's about consistency of airflow. If you go on to McLaren,

they have a slightly different concept. They have modified the

inboard end of the flaps to allow better airflow through to the

underneath of the car. That is more downforce on the under flow,

generally more downforce across the whole car. This area, they waited

very different people stop they only have three elements. A

vertical clearance next to the main wing section. That allows the

airflow through the gap. It doesn't really affect the underneath of the

wing as much as get airflow around the tyre. Who has got it right?

There are many ways of doing it. It is just down to what requirements

the team needs and who does the best job. We have to wait until

tomorrow to find out who did that. A fascinating insight from Gary

Anderson. We will indeed wait until tomorrow to see how things unfold.

If you work for Ferrari and want to relax, this is why you can and do

it. But no relaxing this afternoon, they've got a lot of work to do.

Red Bull and McLaren are looking fast, so the team have to get in

front of some big teams at the front. Here is what has happened in

free practice and what we have learned with Ben Edwards.

Before of the title contenders in practice is positive for Sebastian

Vettel. He has been second fastest in all three sessions. But the Red

Bull is not demonstrating the scintillating pace seen elsewhere.

There may be concerns seemed a similar engine of Kimi Raikonnen

blow-up in practice three. Alonso was 5th fastest in both sessions,

but only eight this morning. Felipe Massa or demonstrated excellent

pace on a full tank of fuel on Friday. It's possible that the

teams are setting up for wet conditions forecast on Sunday.

However, faster than most teams so far are McLaren. Butt was fastest

this morning. If McLaren were to finish 1-2 this weekend, they would

pass Ferrari for second place in the constructors Championship.

Qualifying promises to be a titanic struggle.

Not fantastic news for Ferrari, if McLaren are looking strong.

Fernando Alonso needs to win this race, effectively? Everything is

falling in favour of Vettel. The only glimmer of hope is the sky. He

wanted to chuck it down. That will give him the unknown factor. We

know what resilience he has, what he can draw out of himself. The

rain and the weather are his biggest allies. The other race

teams like McLaren, Force India, Lotus, they are going to favour

Vettel. They are strong enough and quick enough to get in the mix of

the driver's. You can hear the engines roaring behind us. We are

going to be in trouble with the Ferrari lot. They like to sit out

of the rain. Instead, they have to stand here. So, a Formula One

legend is here and Lee McKenzie is Emerson, you are standing here with

your sunglasses on, do you know something that we don't? Is it

going to keep raining? Well, you never had a precise forecast here.

We are close to the mountains and two lakes. It can rain any second,

it can change very quickly, the weather. I think it is going to be

slippery and damp. If we can lift up your identity pass, F1 world

champion, that is a nice thing to have. What do you think of the

championship, it's going down to the wire? I think it's one of the

best in the history of F1 racing. Very dynamic, a lot of overtaking,

a lot of action. I enjoy to watch every grand prix this year. The

grand finale in Brazil is a gift for Brazilians and racing fans all

over the world. This could BA incredible race. Who do you think

deserves to be 2012 champion? think Vettel has the biggest chance.

Both deserve it, Fernando and Vettel had a great championship.

Fernando has to put the knife into his teeth and go for it. It's

How fantastic is this strange weather? Another variable in the

next? At the Griffi, it is what we need all of the time. A hell of a

job to arrange this for today, it was supposed to be tomorrow. A who

are you expecting to win tomorrow? Probably... I don't know, honestly.

Probably the guy with the most points. Definitely, not probably.

Who deserves it? I should think, honestly, probably... Lewis.

have been keeping a close eye on the way the season has unfolded.

Nice to chat. I should remind you, it is his last race, I remember

saying, pick on someone your own size. Do you still say the same

thing? Absolutely, diet to be rid of him! -- glad to be rid of him.

Andy Stephens is talking to Gary Anderson. What can we expect from

the weather? 6th and 7th fastest, coming up to

qualifying and then the rain came. Did that upset you a little bit?

Not really, it caught us by surprise. We were predicting the

raided them at the end of qualifying, if not after qualifying

finished. The track is already drying out. I believe the start of

Q1 is going to be dry. The guys were comfortable, 6th and 7th. We

were constantly putting us at times in. We're pretty confident. Are you

expecting more rain before the end of qualifying? There could be in Q3.

It's a bit touch and go. You have to keep your fingers crossed and

keep yourself alert? We will keep alert. We are ready for anything

thrown at us. If we have to change tyres and go at the end, we have

control the weather, the reality is that nobody knows what is done it

to happen. You can watch live on the BBC Sport website. -- nobody

feed on the red button. The pit lane feed, particularly during the

race, is fascinating. You don't get any commentary, just team radio and

cameras in the pit lane. It's a unique way to watch Formula One

action. If you miss anything from the free practice sessions, you can

see it all on iPlayer for the next seven days. Look at this, a man

gearing himself up for what is, without doubt, the biggest

qualifying session of the season. He looks very relaxed. I would like

to know what he is listening to. That would give an insight into his

mind set. He does look so core. The suit has not been done up, he's

going to take his time, he's looking at the track and looking at

the clouds. That the current champion. This is a man who, six

years after he won at last, would like another one. Checking out the

circuit, while Sebastian Vettel is checking out his car, it's time for

that is Formula One 2012 is about to be played out at the final

qualifying session of the year. It is just 50 miles from the centre of

Sao Paulo at Interlagos, which has hosted Formula One cars for 40

years over a couple of different circuit layout. The contract is to

buy six miles. It is 4.3 kilometres. One of the short Dellape lengths of

the year. Packed into that I did some climes, fast and slow corners

and a track that is more calls and textured than the recent run of

circuits. That could help. MSN in the paddock, he won the first one

here. Ayrton Senna, winning his home grand prix after eight

attempts in 1991. This year, his record as the youngest triple world

champion will be claimed by Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso.

Where they qualify will set the scene for that final showdown. The

tension in the camps is palpable. Both drivers are putting on a good

display of control. But there has to be nervous? Of course, there

will be nervous. But that releases adrenalin into the body. That

concentrates the mind. Having that extra nervous energy as they come

into the title showdown will just be getting their minds at so that

you on the job. The track, embedded in Sao Paulo. The City is all

around us. A fantastic turnout as well. The track temperature is 25

degrees. How that varies. This yesterday it was double that. As

Bernie Eccleston walks down the pit lane, it is not raining but it is

so much cooler. He looks like he has a birthday card or something

for somebody. It might be for the Mercedes boss, 60 today. It is a

big moment, this final qualifying session of the season. You

mentioned the great turnout that we have for the Brazilian race fans.

They are all hoping to... Well, they will have their personal

favourites. A Latin blood that flows through this part of South

America. Felipe Massa or has had a couple of wins here. He's the only

driver since 1999 to win this race from pole position. He is sporting

a different crash helmet design this weekend, dedicated to his

father. His father used to race in touring cars. Those are his

father's colours. That is what he decided to go for. King terms of

proving to be a very able wing-man for Alonso in the second half of

the year. You have to question where he was get the beginning of

the season. But he has finished with quite a strong run of results.

OK, more rain might come later into the session. I think it is not

going to stay in these conditions all the time. Very likely or very

unlikely? There will be rain, it is just a matter of how heavy. There

is no guarantee that the conditions will improve. But they could get

worse. So, if we go now and get a banker, at least we have something.

Well, as we heard from Ross Brawn, head of committed as part of the

show, we know that they will put more fuel in the car right now.

Everybody is out on the track. The track has lost a lot of track

temperature. That will affect the way that the Pirelli tyres will

react. There will be sticking an extra couple of laps fuel on board.

It's a short track, so they can afford to not take any risks. This

is about damage limitation. Many times in the past, you have been

technical director of a team with good qualifying performances. What

is the strategy going to be right now? You have to be alert and on

your feet, especially if you are a small team. There is something here

to be had. That is what they always tried to do, make sure you are let

and react to what is going on. It is the small fuel effect. 1.9

kilograms per lap. So, it is five laps for three tenser the second.

Just make sure you get the clean lap and you're out there when the

Plenty of cars are out there right away. They want to get out on their

slick tyres in get in that time in quickly. The two Caterhams up out

on the track. They want to get some in. They will be watching closely

to see if there is any more rain. It looks like a slightly different

shade of Tarmac, which would suggest a damp patch. They have cut

grooves into the service in areas where there have been -- the

surface in areas where there has been dampness in the past. We are

going to see significantly slower lap times at the beginning of the

session. We can see it is wet. Look how slippery it is? It has to be

intermediate for this section. The surface tension of the tyre is

falling away massively. That is normally taken flat out. The

downside is, on the first half of the track, -- first half of the lap,

it is dry. It is quite pretty out there. No great loss for him taking

a DIS tour. The teams will be watching this and saying, should we

do one ran on the Pinter's in case it rains more heavily? -- up on the

intermediates in case it rains more heavily. Heikki Kovalainen was

really struggling. News this weekend that Charles Pic will be

switching to drive for the Caterhams team next year. No news

as to whether Heikki Kovalainen will retain his seat. We could be

watching him in his last qualifying session. He is trying to find some

grip. It is observation as much as anything. The Marie Show was able

to get past him, or is he? That is Charles Pic will start this is not

the Grand Prix. -- that is Charles Pic. He is feeling some

psychological effect when he was passed by Lewis Hamilton. This

battle is over 10th place in the Championship will stop the points

come tomorrow in the race. It is important for them to keep that

position and or the Caterhams team to try to take that place. -- for

the Caterhams team. This was Timo Glock fault that he tried to hold

on. Heikki Kovalainen almost came back. That was still full rally

driving. -- Bhatt was careful rally driving. In to turn 12, in these

conditions, 13, 14, 15 become corners as well. The tyres lose

significantly the surface temperature and the whole come

pound -- compound starts not to perform. Rapid engine change for

the Lotus boys. They have managed to get the car back together. Kamui

Kobayashi has gone the fastest in the Sauber. He may not be racing

one next year in Formula One. The track conditions are very slippery

at the moment. Presumably you have to go for it on the slick tyre.

track is pretty dry. Last year, we saw it is all about getting out

there with some temperatures in the tyres. You have to go out there. If

it was drier, I would have expected 14.5 to get you through. It will be

a lottery at the minute. This guy it is getting bluer. Michael

Schumacher is sitting there patiently waiting. Just remember,

the target is to be in the top 17. Sometimes even that can be

difficult when conditions are changing all the time. The rain has

affected qualifying here. A couple of years ago Nico Hulkenberg had a

great qualifying position. He stayed at and managed to take a

surprise pole position. He did. Force India are on intermediate

tyres. This will be really good information for other teams. You

can see the try line appearing in turn turn. As he comes into 11, you

cannot really see it from the camera angle. Totally not these

tyres, come back in! He will not be staying out there for very long.

Presumably he will cut back into the pit lane. That is interesting.

Let's watch him cross the line. harm in him doing the flying lap.

He is fastest of all in the last set. That is considerably quicker

than Kamui Kobayashi. 1.6 seconds faster on the last set. This is

where he will struggle - the opening part. A huge amount of

oversteer as he turned in. He will be more committed in the wet areas

and you can ever be on a slick tyre. It is getting heat on his brakes

and getting them ready for the slicks. Kamui Kobayashi, Buchan see

how much he is closing on the drier sections. That is the advantage of

the slicks. It is a huge difference in the dry. Into this large -- into

this last area, you will see him dropping back. He has not lost

anything from having done that ran. Suggest pits this lap. So just pits

this lap. Presumably we will see him in this time. Petrov his third

in the Caterhams and there may have Ricardo in his Toro Rosso. -- and

then we had Daniel Ricciardo in his Toro Rosso. We're waiting for all

the front runners to come out onto the circuit. There is a patient

waiting game going on. Fernando Alonso has been in pole position in

the past but he has never have won the race. He nearly spanned where

his band this morning will start he was only just missed by Michael

Schumacher. -- he span this morning. Very uncomfortable in the race car

coming out of 12. When you are on the slick tyres, you do not have an

edge to lean on on a damp track. 30 mm controlling up to 800 waltz Pab

with the damp track and a cold tyre is pretty quick -- a damp track and

a colt tyre is pretty quick. Let's see what Bruno Senna can do it on

home turf for the Williams team will start Pastor Maldonado has

moved up two fastest. He is currently the quickest will start a

good dry weather time is around 1.13 minutes. That is what they

were doing this morning. That was the fastest time set by Jenson

Button. It is definitely slick territory in terms of lap time.

Bruno Senna has no outright fastest time. He is second to his team-mate,

Pastor Maldonado. The track will keep getting faster. Not so much in

the first set but the second and third set. -- first set. He is

wondering what he is doing. He is trying to qualify it as best he can.

Jenson Button, ready to go. He was fastest this morning. This is where

he won his title in 2009. That qualifying session did not go well

for him. Rubens Barrichello got pole position. Jenson Button was

away at the back with the Sebastian Vettel. It was all right on the

debacle stump he won the Championship. -- all right on the

day. He won the Championship. He does not have a lot of weight in

the car. We are at altitude. There is less horse power available. That

affects fuel usage. Overall, there is a very small penalty. Giving

yourself the safety margin of extra fuel. They had a choice of hard

compound Pirelli tyres or medium compound. The white side wall is

the softer of the two compounds. Nico Rosberg has gone out on the

medium compound tyre. It is all about traction, or the lack of it.

It is incredibly steep. To repeat myself, the camera does not do

justice of how much of a climb they have after turn 12 will start the

opening lap, 5th. I would suggest that is steadier. They will get

faster and faster will start a Bruno Senna at his fastest and

ahead of Maldonado. -- faster and faster. Hamilton suddenly pops up.

Up this will keep happening. The top spot will keep changing. It is

the bottom part of the field we need to keep an eye on - trying to

get into the top 17 is what you have to do in this part of

qualifying. Lewis Hamilton is fastest. We are still watching

Fernando Alonso. Hamilton is on a lap as well so we can get a bit of

a comparison. Hamilton is about a 10th quicker. On this section of

the Interlagos circuit, you need a good balance. You start to break

and commit to the corner, which is difficult to balance a racing car.

They want to go through very high- speed corners with minimal braking,

if none at all, using the downforce they are designed to generate. When

you start putting Lateral load, it affects the wheels. It is not about

getting a perfect lap in qualifying but maintaining the balance as

Alonso goes fastest at this point. Lewis Hamilton just shaded him by

for hundreds of a second was dubbed still improving all the time.

four hundreds of a second. Kimi Raikkonen is in 6th. Filipe Massa

is in third. The last lap is currently the fastest. Keep the

pace up. Keep the pace up and keep the temperature in the tyres. Louis

Hamilton knows what he has to do. The next set is not so quick. Nico

Rosberg has gone the 11th. He is on the medium tyre. Raikkonen is on

the softer of the two tyres. It is a different story in these

conditions. Jenson Button was hooked up in the dry morning

session. I fully expected Lewis Hamilton to drift towards the set-

up. Had it been fully dry, he may have done so and we have not seen

the Times right now, given the conditions. Look at the sliding

that Filipe Massa is doing! He is coming up the hill, still curling.

Hulkenberg is doing well. He is currently in eighths. The thirst

They have to make the decision. How has the car going to react when I

open up the slot gap on the rear wing? You have 100 kilograms of

transfer of load. So far, Paul Di Resta goes fastest in this section.

That was a good lap by do raster. - - Di Resta. Now we are getting into

the serious end of qualifying. Less than four and a half minutes to go.

The track is drying up, but still not down to the pace we saw this

morning. Button was up to second, but no quicker than Di Resta. It

shows you how good that lap was from Paul Di Resta. He was honoured

the softer tyre. Here comes Alonso. He goes fastest. Not for long, he

doesn't! Hamilton went quicker by four tenths of a second. What is

Matt doing at the moment? Was that some debris? Was it bouncing

through turn two? That was as Alonso was catching Grosjean. It

might have been something picked up. Let's see what this lap time is

like for Sebastian Vettel. He's 10th. He's certainly safe. He's on

a harder compound tyre. Not approaching the speed that Hamilton

and now Perez has done. At Hulkenberg is up to 5th. This is on

board with Grosjean. As you said, there was a bit of debris.

against the HRT! He made contact with the rear tyre. That is just

through the kink at 1015. -- turn 15. He goes down the inside of De

La Rosa. He doesn't see him. It's just doesn't seem to work out for

Roman Zhouqu in. -- Roman Grosjean. Look at this lot. A friend Wayne

finally comes off Grosjean's car. Thankfully, it goes well off the

side of the track. Certainly not helping those around him to get a

good run, because the time is ticking away. There needs to be a

pit box change of the front wing, if they have enough fuel for

Grosjean. You can see his front wing lying there. If they have

enough fuel, they can just do that in the pit lane. We can see from

the commentary box that they are doing it in the pit lane.

Vettel has done second-fastest. His second flying lap was much quicker.

A new front wing goes on to the Lotus. They are going to send him

on his way. He will get the Lappin. Senna is still fastest, on home

turf. Vettel second, Hulkenberg third, Hamilton 4th, Di Resta 5th.

It's about being in the top 17. Petrov,..., De La Rosa. The cars

are going slowly, tried to get some space to work in? The difficulty is,

you're at the against the rushy airs, a chattys, you don't want to

be near them on the track when you're trying to get a clear lap. -

- Marussia ors and HRTs. Will he be able to slip down their inside of

Raikonnen and spoil his next slapper? Perez could not get

through, Hamilton has gone fastest. he came up the hill. Let's see what

happened for Maldonado. He went down inside. Trying to get himself

a bit of fear air. Maldonado has to try and improve. Grosjean is out

there with a new front wing. They didn't change the tyres, so they

could have drop in temperature and he has to get that temperature back

up into them. Everybody is in a situation right now where they are

not at optimal tyre pressure. They will have put extra pressure in, in

an anticipation of more lap time speed. The pressure in Paktiya

controls the riding height, which controls the whole interaction with

the ground. Look at that, Hamilton nearly a second faster than Bruno

Senna. It looks like the two championship contenders are safe.

Vettel is in second place. Alonso is in 8th. What about Maldonado? He

has traffic ahead of him. He's trying to get into the top 17.

Hopefully he will get past that HRT. Pedro De La Rosa or sweeps past the

HRT. This should move him up to 11th. Grosjean is pushed down, but

he just get back in. You just get back into the top 17. Where is

Ricardo? He could still yet push him out. He's done it! Grosjean has

been squeezed out. That is the story of the session. Roman

Grosjean has been squeezed out. It all goes back to the contact he had

with the HRT. With all that excitement, Jenson Button is up to

third. It's all looking pretty predictable at the front end. Senna

did a good job in changing conditions. Romain Grosjean, you

cannot say he is just unlucky. He finds himself in circumstances, I

know that some people might think that they were bearing upon the

young Frenchman, but there is enough evidence to suggest that

enclose combat, and this is exactly what it is in these changing

conditions, he got to fight for your track position. It seems that

he commits to things and then realises he is too late, it isn't

qualifiers, but it hasn't worked out for him. Raikonnen is through.

The engine change that the boys made earlier on his working for

out, Grosjean, Petrov, Kovalainen.... And Pic. Karthikeyan

out-qualifying De La Rosa for the impressive for Bruno Senna. That

must improve his confidence. That was a good lap. Romain Grosjean

said that he didn't know what to say. I think it's sorry! That is

Williams. There is Bruno Senna. He can sit there very happy with his

performance. Let's go back to the most controversial moments. Romain

Grosjean has never gone out in the first part of qualifying. A big

reason why he has is this. I would take a little bit of issue with

David on this. David is the racing driver, but I don't think Grosjean

does anything wrong. Actually, HRT must not have seen him, to be fair.

He was far too tight. That is the pet entry road, where you see the

lines across. Traditionally, we used to be penalised for doing this.

This is on board with Romain Grosjean. He does nothing wrong. He

has been nearly into the wall. What is he supposed to do? You don't

think that the HRT is just taking the racing line? We have to look at

other laps that HRT has done. I don't think they take that as a

normal line. It they do try to go as close as they can to narrow the

distance. Let's go back to the start of the session. That is the

first time Romain Grosjean has gone out in the first part of qualifying.

A big blow for him. Going back to the first part of the session, the

cars were fighting to get out of the beginning. Were you surprised

no big teams took a gamble to get aid Lappin in early on? Part of

life, motor racing, sport, any kind of life, you have to take risk

assessment and put Priskin to a balance. I think big teams should

have had a banker, anything can happen. -- put risk into the

balance. After the cars made their way to the track, we saw an

exciting moment involving the man that has joined us now. We enjoyed

that scrap we de Marussia, was that you just having a bit of fun in

qualifying? I don't know which scrap you are talking about. We saw

a lovely incident weigh yourself and Timo Glock were having a real

ding-dong and it looked very exciting. That was just to set the

Lat team, -- lap time, not anything else. Is that your last ever

qualifying for them? It could be my last ever qualifying in F1. It

seems quite difficult at the moment. All I can say, I will finish the

job tomorrow and give 100%. But it doesn't look very good.

describe it as finishing the job, that doesn't sound very optimistic.

Just get people at home and idea of what is going on in Formula One,

with experience of racing a Renault, who were a race winner for McLaren,

you were always so confident about being part of a long-term plan with

Tony Fernandes in the team. Where has it gone wrong? Times have

changed, the world, generally, is changing. I don't know what else I

could have done during this year to make a difference. I guess the only

question is that maybe we should have done more earlier. But you

can't speculate like that, that is all done and that is how it is now.

If Eddie Jordan was feeling very positive and gave you �40 billion,

would you suddenly find you have a seat somewhere in Formula One?

you gave me �40 million, I would probably do something totally

different. The issue is that you don't have the money to stay in the

sport? I don't want to go that route. I don't want to bring money.

I guess if you want to bring money, you have to be looking at Ferrari

or McLaren. I kind of see that you can do some races. But, where we

are now, I don't feel up for that. What the deciding factor will be,

that is a shame. I know that tomorrow might be your last race.

But you leave as a winner, if you do leave Formula One. Best of luck

for next year, looking for a seat under way. 15 minutes, the track is

pretty much dry. Interestingly, a Jean-Eric Vergne is straight out on

track. As the time is compressed, they get more keen to get out there.

We have seen the track improve. The lap times weren't quite down to

what we saw this morning. What can we expect? In practice three, I

think you have to be looking at a 13.5 to feel it was OK. One of the

things about it is not to try and do everything on the first lap. As

Romain Grosjean found out, it was the last lap. He needs it on the

track on the last lap. Not what he wanted, by any means. The incident

involving Grosjean will be investigated. No real surprise. For

now, it doesn't make any difference because he is out of the next stage

of qualifying. This is where it really gets tough. You've got to

get into the top 10 if you are to make progress into the final part

of qualifying. Nico Hulkenberg put in a good effort. Fourth-fastest.

He did use the medium tier. Senna also used the softer tyre and his

move to second place. First and third did it on the harder compound

tyre. Depending on the car and how your balance is, that could be

worth more than half a second. I think that Hulkenberg will be out

there on that set of option tyres that have not been giving them

anywhere near as hard a time as if he went out in normal dry

qualifying. That shock of heat and energy really sees a big drop-off

in the tyre. When you have been starting of doing 18s and bringing

the lap time down, it brings the tyre temperature down in a more

gentle way and increases the lifespan. You can see how hard he

is trying, down through the Senna S. This will be the DRS ozone tomorrow.

They don't use it here, in qualifying they use it everywhere.

Now, through the flat-out left-hand corner, before coming up to this

sort of trouble Apex Corner. It's an incredible corner. The apex that

he is on now is blind until you arrive at the corner. It's

completely flat. It allows them to shorten the apex, I'm not going to

attempt to see the Portuguese but I believe it means duckbill. This

second sector point comes up just here. Let's look at the time.

Hulkenberg has gone fastest. Still trying to struggle a little bit to

get the bow down. Out of turn 12 and up the hill he comes.

Hulkenberg is currently quickest. That is more like the time we saw

had the DRS Open. -- whether he had. I could not see very clearly on the

screen. It is a very tricky Senna S. You cannot see the apex as you

start braking. As you mention, that will be the DRS then. A few teams

will be disappointed that is the DRS Sir own. It is a much shorter

straight -- DRS zone. In the heart of qualifying, Bruno Senna has some

traffic. Michael Schumacher did a good job of moving out of the way.

Bruno Senna had a spin in practice but Michael Schumacher managed to

avoid him. He seemed to be half a car with wider than the optimum.

That saw the rear side. You have to hold the steering. You have to

maintain position. It saps away your lap time. Let's see what it is

like. He is in 6th place currently. Michael Schumacher at his 4th. Do

Lester his 5th. -- Paul di Resta earned his in 5th. Sebastian Vettel

has not run yet. Red Bull and McLaren are waiting patiently and

they come out on circuit. -- until they come out on circuit. What are

conditions are right? The track is getting better. It will be the last

lap that counts. That was 14.6. This morning we saw a 13.1.

time for Hulkenberg was just slightly slower. He has come back

into the pits but Fernando Alonso is still out there. Michael

Schumacher, we are watching him right now. He has had four wins in

Brazil over his career - his first career in Formula One. He won for

Benetton and Ferrari. He goes 4th fastest for the moment. Nico

Rosberg is just ahead. Both Mercedes cars are going well.

Filipe Massa has had a great qualifying record in the past. It

seems to really suit him. He will be hoping he can put on a great

qualifying performance and be asked by the team to support his team-

mate. He will be hoping to out qualified Fernando Alonso. I expect

lap times would drop significantly in the last few minutes of

qualifying. There is the focus, the concentration, the mental rehearsal.

We're looking at a lock up here. We are going to see a real battle in

the final eight minutes to get into the top 10. Sebastian Vettel, Mark

Webber and Lewis Hamilton yet to establish a lap time. We are riding

on board with Bruno Senna. Let's see what he can do in this part of

qualifying. He is the 4th fastest. That was an improvement. Tidy

driving from him. This morning he spam the car around. He has

recovered well. A lot of pressure when you carry that name and you

are racing around this circuit. Brazil has such a great record in

terms of race wins and World Championships. That is right.

Pastor Maldonado is going quickly built up quicker than what he needs

for the top 10. -- Pastor Maldonado is going quickly. This is

competitive but not the fastest lap. He has gone straight backing. What

does his strategy have to be? think you had to give yourself

opportunity. You need to go out here with four minutes and 20

seconds. That is so the tyres can treat themselves nicely. Lewis

Hamilton has just left the pits with a medium tyre. He is not

taking any chances. We know that is significantly faster. Likewise on

the Red Bull. They are expecting to have enough fuel on board to run it

to the chequered flag, if the tyres do last. Sebastian Vettel is

usually one of the last men to go out in a given part of qualifying.

Let's see what will happen. The Red Bull in action. Sebastian Vettel is

on his way on the medium tyre. That is Louis Hamilton. He was bubbling

after the victory in the United States where he took on and beat

Sebastian Vettel. Such a satisfying victory for him! Sebastian Vettel

took pole position. They are evenly matched in terms of pole positions.

They have six apiece. If one of the two gets pole position today, they

will get one over their great rivals. On board with Sebastian

Vettel. This is the warm up lap. Up over the rise. Drops down into turn

eight. Fernando Alonso is coming out a bit later. It is about

getting one clean lap. It is about being in the top 10 and not about

being fastest. It is about getting in the top 10. Mercedes is looking

quite strong and so is Force India. Hamilton has been fast this weekend.

Not quite as fast as Button this morning. He understeer. As he

brought the car down at lower speed, he got oversteer. He was fastest of

all in the first sector. Whatever he does in his lap, he can go

faster. Here is half a second up on Alonso. He will be down around one

minute and 13. He may not be quite there yet. It is one 1:13.3 per

stub he would try to continue on that. All of the main players are

on circuit. -- he will trier. Mark Webber has gone fastest in the

middle sector. He has traffic ahead of him. He needs to hope that

traffic in front clears. That might be Hulkenberg. He has Filipe Massa

ahead of him. The Ferrari is just ahead of the Red Bull. He will get

a toe as he comes up their health. -- he will get a tow as he comes up

the hill. He goes fastest. He is nearly two-tenths of a second

faster than Lewis Hamilton full stabbed that might have given him

as much as a 10th of a second. McLaren has showed good pace as it

went up the hill. Look at that hearty amount of understeer. What a

crucial few laps this is for Fernando Alonso! That has cost him

time. That was way too wide. He rolled in so early into turn 12,

biting the overstayer. This is the last damp part of the track. --

fighting the oversteer. He was held on the climb. Let's see where it

puts him. Not as quick as the front runners. He is seven tents off

Sebastian Vettel. Fernando Alonso is currently in fifth-place. Nico

Rosberg has gone forth. He is being squeezed down the order. A few laps

to come. Fernando Alonso needs to drag the quick time out of his

Ferrari. We're watching Filipe Massa. He has shown good pace.

Another lap, please will stump another lap required. Sebastien

Vettel continues on his way. Bruno Senna stays 11th in that lap. He is

in danger territory. Pastor Maldonado has gone up to 5th.

Webber is on a good lap. He is only half a 10th slower than his team-

mate in that sector. Pastor Maldonado it is up ahead. He has

locked up again into 10 10th will start -- into turn ten. Generic

fern is out of the top 10. -- Jean Eric Byrne is out of the top 10. He

is fourth-fastest. Kimi Raikkonen his 5th will start Fernando Alonso

is in 6th place. Let's see where that Canary Kobayashi can drag

himself Dom -- Canary Kobayashi can for Sebastian Vettel. He is being

matched by Hulkenberg in the Force India. It does not look like the

Ferrari is being optimised. Look how much curve he uses? He was

trying to be too greedy. The car is bouncing in the air and you cannot

get the throttle open. His Ferrari going to pay dearly Again for not

enough pace? Fernando Alonso has done a slightly faster lap. Let's

see what the lap time is light. Fernando Alonso is in 9th. Michael

Schumacher at is out. He has not made the final part of qualifying.

I am not sure it will be enough. Bruno Senna, up across the line, he

stays 12th. Pastor Maldonado is the 6th fastest driver in that session.

Guess who has the fastest time? Sebastian Vettel. The main Champion

contenders up in the hunt. We have lost some key players. Fernando

Alonso was locking up. There were a lot of mistakes. I think Ferrari

and Fernando Alonso will take a lot of heart that was not a clean

qualifying lap. It does not look like they had done enough to

challenge for pole position. This was a huge block up again. He ran

completely wide. The balance and the tyres were not talking to him

right now. Sebastian Vettel sets the pace. Paul di Resta is out. He

has seen his team-mate goes through. That is the 6th time he has been

out qualified by his team mates. He has suffered a little bit. Bruno

Senna, after a good performance. Sergio Perez is out. There was an

issue on Turn One. Michael Schumacher is out. So is Kamui

Kobayashi. Frustration. I know how keen he is to do something amazing

in front of his fans. The serious concerns are with the Ferrari fans.

Fernando Alonso looks like he is having to fight his car. Everything

is going against him. The teams around them are going quicker. Not

a happy camp at the moment. A lot of scratching of heads going on at

Ferrari. They have traditionally grab it by the neck. At least both

of them are there to have a fight for it. We were so worried about

the weather. Shadows in the paddock. It will get warmer for the final

part of qualifying. The big moment in the first part of qualifying was

theirs. Romain Grosjean getting close. Pedro de la Rosa stuck to

his racing line. He was trying to It's not often we see contact in

qualifying. Tell us about it from your point of view. There is not

much to say, unfortunately. I was behind him for the whole map. His

flying lap, not a big deal. I was going to overtake him in a straight

line, he didn't see me and pushed me into the barriers. I used my

brakes as much as I could, but I got pushed into the barriers.

clear what he was saying. It was impossible to get through. I know

you have had another look. It does seem like the HRT was taking the

racing line? Well, it probably was. You can see the different colours

of the surface. It is obviously damper on the inside. Sorry, quite

the opposite. The only line was the inside. HRT was chasing that. Did

he give him enough run? Only those two drivers know that. When I first

saw it, I thought that may be the HRT was too tight for it. We had

been beating up on poor old Romain Grosjean. I would like to give him

a chance, because he is quick. shot was interesting, and anti-

dandruff shampoo are being advertised on the side of the Lotus,

Well, we hear that they are investigating the collision. Tell

us about it from where you were sitting. Well, there's not much I

can say, really. I was driving on the only dry Lane that there is on

the track. There is not any more power on my car. I was keeping the

four wheels in the dry Lane, otherwise you put one wheel into

the wet. I felt somebody on the BLF tyre. Really, I don't understand,

how can you overtake there? -- the rear left tyre. My rear end was

damage after that, I had a puncture, DRS broken, so it wasn't a great

qualifying. Very honest response from Pedro de la Rosa. An

incredibly experienced driver. He will know where he can or cannot

put his car during qualifying. Perhaps they should have looked at

what Maldonado was doing. Maybe if he had watched this committee would

He gets on the inside of him and then he changes to the outside.

then he changes to the outside. This is the clever move. It's also

risky. On that side of the track, it is damp. Like he said, he took

the only dry line. Nobody can blame you for doing this. And this is

Pastor Maldonado we are talking about, he doesn't mind driving on

the slippy part of the track. He probably enjoys it. You can see how

close he was to the wall and the grass. Let's head up to the

commentary box. David Coulthard and Ben Edwards is preparing for the

biggest pole position shoot out of the season. In the Ferrari garage

they will be nervous about the speed that Red Bull has got?

don't think they will be surprised. The speed has been there all

weekend. They will be a little more surprise that McLaren, although

they are shading Red Bull, they were leading them through the first

parts of practice. The track is getting dry, track temperatures can

a nap. This is going to be a fantastic shoot-out for pole

position. Up in the box, can you see Ferrari making top six in

qualifying? I think that is going to be a challenge. Throughout the

course of the last part of the year, Fifth is where Alonso has qualified.

Top six, he might make it. That is why he tends to be. I'm not sure

they have got any more than that, are you? It depends on if the track

temperature coming up allows them to find some of the balance that

they don't have now. You saw Alonso fighting with the car. This type of

circuit Carlisle though it is a short lap, it costs them quite a

bit of time. So, it is a journey of discovery, a qualifying lap. We are

about to be entertained. As are the fans. Thousands of them packed into

the grandstands and some men that know what it takes to do the

business behind the wheel. The fight for pole position. Fernando

Alonso has not left Sebastian Vettel rest in the last few races.

Who will come out on top here? It is time for pole. The last part of

qualifying, a bit of sunshine around. How different it is to the

beginning of qualifying, when we saw rain on the track. Now we have

a bone dry circuit once more. All to play for. Fingers crossed at

Ferrari. Can Fernando Alonso keep the challenge alive? For those that

Focused on what he has to do. Sebastian Vettel, very focused.

Gary, what are you expecting to see from this final part of qualifying?

Basically, if all things go equal, if it's a dry day tomorrow,

Sebastian Vettel has the pace to beat them. I would imagine that

Ferrari are one of the only teams putting all their eggs in one

basket. The car will be difficult to drive, one of the things he

would do is soften up the rear bar. That will create more understeer.

You have to live with it in dry conditions, but they will get the

dividends tomorrow. Use the tyre, and then one timed on you. That

will be the softer of the two compounds. Nico Rosberg climbs up

the hill. Interestingly, the Inter team rivalry has ended up at 10

apiece in terms of out-qualify each other. Michael seemed to really get

his qualifying performs together in the middle of the season. Rosberg

came back at him? It's going to be very telling how he performs

alongside Hamilton. Most people were impressed by how he handled

the early form of Michael Schumacher being his team-mate. The

real thing that will tell us how good Nico Rosberg is, we know he

has won a grand prix and it's difficult Mercedes car. It's how he

matches up to Lewis Hamilton, one of the fastest drivers in Formula

One, will tell a lot about his future. He's had that pole position

in China, when he went on to win. Around the same time, he qualified

second in Monaco. He has had no other top four on the grid this

year. That shows the difference, that funny section where the

Mercedes went well and never since? You have got to get the cars in a

sweet zone. It's not just about total downforce, it's about having

a downforce you can balance. When I spoke to Gary off-air on several

occasions, he was always making comments about how hard they are

driving the front wings on these cars. If you don't have enough load

coming off the front wing, you cannot balance the rest of the

downforce that the car generates. Vettel, getting ready to go. A

quick. Back Brawn-Mercedes, they're already in the car on a slightly

different specifications this again to what we have seen risen through?

Into the second half of the season, we changed the system to give rear

downforce. They never really got back working. This weekend, they

are now running the car in its early-season specification to see

if they can find their way and little that again. It's interesting

to see. We will see what happens in this session with Rosberg. He was

unlucky, he changed it in qualifying. Here, I think the car

is a little bit better. Hamilton, meanwhile, is on his lap here. 18.5

in this first sector. That's looking competitive. Not as fast as

this morning, but immediately faster than the likes of Rosberg

and Alonso, and six poll positions so far for Lewis Hamilton. He has

qualified in Q3 at every single event. He is 100% in terms of

getting into the top 10. The only driver to have achieved that

throughout the season. Great effort in qualifying. He had his problems

in the races. Let's see what the first benchmark time is like. Well,

the Times are improving. It is than we saw the previous sector for

the middle section. That was Vettel. It is showing the track evolution.

We are getting into his own where these option tyres are really

working. So, on track at the moment we have Felipe Massa, Mark Webber.

Jenson Button is faster than anybody else in the first sector so

far. Massa coming around to complete a lap. Across the line he

does. Second fastest from Massa. Ferrari, looking reasonably

competitive. Massa has been strong or weak end. Three pole positions

he has had in the past. Two race victories and one which he gave up

to Kimi Raikonnen in 2007. He does fastest of all in the last sector.

In that last sector, typically the McLaren has had the advantage.

Something has changed. It could be the drying track conditions. This

is on board with Vettel, down through turn 11. Down through

Juncao, turn 12. McLaren, one and two. Webber currently third. Alonso

is in 5th. Whereas this putting Vettel? It's not looking good, he

is actually slower than Alonso. He has backed off now? That was a very

cautious middle sector. We haven't CNET there was an issue, but that

was almost a second down. There was more to come from Vettel, if he has

time. Alonso Pozzato car is pushed back into the pit garage. He is

currently faster than Sebastian Vettel. Let's see if there was a

artificial grass was damp, he had two left out of it. How much would

that have cost him? A good part of half a second, I would say. And it

cools down the tyres. So, there is more to come from Vettel. It's not

going to be honest her lap, it is a slow first sector. De pole winner

here in 2010, when he was driving for Williams. Hulkenberg, unlikely

he will take pole on a bone dry track. But he's still qualifying

well. I think he is coming in this lap. He will get a new set of tyres

and it will be one flying lap. Hamilton is currently fastest.

McLaren, one and two. Can they hold on to that or his Vettel going to

come out in the closing moments, and so often in the past, and put

in an amazing lap? He has all that pressure on him, as the world

champion. Let's look at Hulkenberg in the Force India. His last ever

outing for them before he switches to the Sauber team. They will like

to finish the season strongly, if at all possible. They have a decent

gap over Williams in the constructors Championship. A little

bit too far behind Sauber to have a major chance of catching the Swiss

team. Let's see where this puts Hulkenberg as he comes across the

line. He goes forth with that lap potential World Champions to head

out. We will expect Sebastian Vettel to be released any time soon.

This is where braved driving comes in. Crucially, it looks like they

just released the McLaren just ahead of Vettel in the pit lane.

They are fine, of course, to do so. That is going to mean that Vettel

has to compromise his out lap. Another car, Hamilton, just ahead.

It's not ideal in terms of getting yourself ready to get into your lap.

It's a very short out lap. To prepare your brakes and tyres is

tricky. Let's see where this is going to put him. He hasn't set a

time, neither has Maldonado. That puts in 6th, so Kimi Raikonnen is

still third in the championship. If Hamilton was to win the race, Kimi

Raikonnen would need 5th to make sure he hold on to that place. At

the moment, he is 6th fastest. On board with Marc Webb as he comes

down into the Senna S. See how much care if he uses. Quite a lot on the

right, and hard as he exits. To me, it looks like a negative. This will

be a first slightly faster sector. The fastest of anybody so far. He

hasn't had pole here, although he has won twice. He lost that, as he

Can he take pole position? It is quite difficult to see. He is

faster. I am trying to strain my eyes. Hamilton is going fast. Mark

Webber is surely going to go faster still. It is quickest. Hamilton and

Button are both on quick laps. Virtually identical. Here comes

Fernando Alonso. Has he got anything? The middle sector was a

reasonable improvement. He is 5th. Pastor Maldonado is forced and

Fernando Alonso is now out in 6th. The McLarens are fighting for it.

Hamilton against Button for proposition. Button, can he take it

back from him? Is it enough? No, it is not. Sebastian Vettel has gone

into 4th place. He has the advantage in terms of the

Championship. At the final ever qualifying session for McLaren,

Lewis Hamilton has taken pole position - his servants of the

season. -- his 7th of the season. What a performance! It is his first

proposition in Brazil. A great job. Fantastic! The other interesting

statistic, it matches Mika Hakkinen in terms of propositions. They were

all done for McLaren. In terms of the Championship, Sebastian Vettel

is forced and Fernando Alonso is in 8th. This Championship is not over.

It is advantage Red Bull and advantage Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton was stuck on pole position. If they finish that way, Ferrari

will lose position in the constructors Championship. Kimi

Raikkonen is 9th. She maquette his 14th and Romain Grosjean is in 8th

place. -- Michael Schumacher at his 14th. Fernando Alonso knows he will

have his work cut out. He will hope it will rain tomorrow. The

celebrations already beginning at McLaren. What a tremendous

performance by Lewis Hamilton! The first proposition for McLaren in

Giselle since Mika Hakkinen. What a long time that seemed so! -- in

Brazil. The advantage in qualifying has gone to Sebastian Vettel. The

outcome of the 2012 titles still depends on the race tomorrow. Very

interesting. We know what happened just one week ago in the United

States of America. Will we expect another issue with the gearbox?

do not think so. It was a brand new track and quicker. Fernando Alonso

wanted the line. I do not think that will happen again. The biggest

worry for Fernando is the McLaren boys and Mark Webber. They're

playing in directly towards the favour of Sebastian Vettel. That is

his problem. He needed pole position. The biggest thing he has

for this weekend, they have got to hope for rain and they hope they

have made the changes today that will help them tomorrow. You wonder

if they have set up the car to raise better in the wet than the

drive. I wondered if they have. My guess is they have compromised the

stump that is a huge gamble. they have compromised. We have a

world champion with us. What to do think of that qualifying?

McLarens are showing they have the right set-up for Interlagos.

Tomorrow it could all change if it rains. We know what a common

denominator that is. Surely Fernando Alonso is disappointed.

must hope for rain. He could have the right set-up and he could be

wrong. He is fast in the ring and Sebastian Vettel is fast as well.

As a man who has raced wheel-to- wheel for World Championships, just

give us your thoughts. It has been so intense for the last couple of

months. An incredible Championship and a -- an incredible race. Thank

you very much. Lovely to see you! Enjoy the sunshine. Let's hear from

a man who would have loved to win the World Championships, Lewis

Hamilton. The boy from Stevenage is going out on a high. You must be

very proud of the qualifying on front rows. And very proud of both

drivers. Everyone who has made this car quick. I think the team has

worked hard. We had the great racing car. Tomorrow's conditions

may be different but it is nice to start from the French road and have

a front row lockout. -- the front row. The final race for Lewis

Hamilton in pole position, that must bring a tear to your eyes.

yet. We are focused on a race. We're in a great position for that

race. It is a long race. We saw Martin before qualifying. He knew

it would be an emotional day. I wonder how it will be tomorrow if

Lewis Hamilton picks up that win. Now, Sebastian Vettel. I'm not sure

if you imagined yourself starting in 4th place tomorrow. How do you

feel? The first ran in Kew's three was not great. And made a mistake.

-- first run in Q3. In the beginning, it was quite busy. The

circuit was getting quicker throughout. The last couple of laps

were the most important. Fernando Alonso was in 8th place. How much

was that on your mind? Not to match. I came out of qualifying and knew I

could have done better. I will look at the data and see where I was not

quick enough. I think the art in good shape. We have been

competitive all weekend. We will see what we can do tomorrow.

man knows what it takes to take pole position around here. Force

was the best that Sebastian Vettel managed. He looks very calm and

controlled, doesn't he? He does. He also knows he has Mark Webber

alongside him. Mark Webber is a bit tardy off the line. I would expect

the past would be made very quickly. He has a great supporting team-mate

in Mark Webber. He will not do anything silly or unsporting but he

will make it have got any prancing horse to come by. They have won the

Constructors' Championship three times. If it stays dry, it will be

hard to see how they will let this one slip. Fernando Alonso qualified

in eighths. How is the team boss feeling? Let's find out for.

Probably not what you wanted but the car looked difficult to drive.

Has it been set up for the wet? the perfect position to start the

race from tomorrow. A lot of concentration. Work hard and see

what will be the outcome of the last race. You are always very good