The Brazilian Grand Prix Formula 1

Previously on F1... Oh, wow! This is fabulous. That is tight - so

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

close. It throws the Championship We have lift off! Clear! More men

have been into space than have stood on top of a Formula One

podium. You are looking good! Fernando de Alonso and Sebastian

Vettel have been there 50 times. It is an even more remarkable feat to

be crowned champion of the world. Only 32 men can have claimed to

have learned that - including a Fernando Alonso and Sebastian

Vettel. How many men have managed it three times? Just eight drivers.

Welcome to the day wet Interlagos makes it nine. There are so many

unknowns between now and the falling of the flag. The weather.

Other drivers. Being your own worst enemy. Very, very sorry. So many

questions. So many variables. Apart from one. Everything rests on the

last race of the year. 25 times the title has been won on the last day

of the season. Today, it will be 26. You know, somebody once said that

in life you get big days and you get small days. For so many reasons,

today is definitely a big day. The day when the Formula One title will

be given away to Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel. Welcome to

Interlaken in Brazil. -- Interlagos. They have decided to put the chain

on just as we have gone on air. How did you feel when you were Cup?

date is special. -- you woke up. I felt privileged. This will be the

end of the 63rd Championship. We will have a new world champion. It

is either Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso. It is the climax

of an unbelievable season. This probably has been the greatest

season in my recollection of Formula One. 20 times the sheer --

this year fans have listened to that music. You have seen many

races where the title has been won. I am nervous. More nervous than

when I was racing. You do not lose that. It was a dream to be a driver

in Formula One. One of these greats - Sebastian Vettel and Fernando

Alonso are great drivers. One of them will walk away with the title.

I want to fast-forward to the end. I do not know if it is the music or

the magic in the air but there is something special, isn't there?

were told we would have a deluge. Some people said we might have to

cancel the race until the Monday. Anything can happen in Interlagos.

It is a cauldron of everything weather-wise. I think we will have

rain at some stage in this race. There was blue-sky earlier on. It

is looking more and more like rain now. David Coulthard has said he is

a rather nervous man. Two men arriving here today are more

nervous than him. Here they are - Fernando Alonso and Sebastian

Vettel. They are the centre of attention. We're counting down to

the start of the grand prix this season for the final time. One of

them will leave here as the youngest ever three-time Formula

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

One world champion and the members Hold back the tears. We have a long

way to go. By the end of it, perhaps the man driving that car

will be a member of that very exclusive club. Fernando Alonso

will also be gearing up and hoping he will be a member of that club by

the end of the day. What would it mean to be a member of that club?

It confirms their status as greats in the sport. There should be no

doubt about that. It will be the 9th only three-time winner and that

is remarkable. Whoever does it, they will be the youngest ever

triple world champion. The benchmark is getting higher all the

time. Maybe that comparison is a bit unfair. Michael Schumacher

brought a new element to this business. He was fitter, faster and

more exciting. He was more dedicated and he raised the bar.

Lewis Hamilton started racing when he was seven. That was never

possible in our day. Give credit to that family, he raised the bar. Now

these two young guys, one of them will be three times world champion.

That raises the bar again. I do not know where this will wind-up but it

is a daunting situation. My Arc Webber was not even in Formula One

by the time he was the age of Sebastian Vettel. That puts him in

an even more exclusive club. They will be taking away d'Angers ever

triple world title from Ayrton Senna. -- the youngest ever. When

you mention hold back the tears, you cannot help but fight the

emotion when you see Ayrton Senna and when he was winning in Brazil.

That passion will boil over this afternoon. The come with me for

just a second. 50 minutes to go until lights out. There are rules

and one is you are not meant to get this close to the Ferrari garage

ahead of a race. This is the car that Fernando Alonso will hope for

making trip pure formula one world champion. What a pleasure to stand

this close! -- triple Formula One world champion. Yesterday it was

all eyes on Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso and this is how it

pans out. Heavy rain just before the start of qualifying saw the

first cars heading out on to a damp track. Romain Grosjean was trying

to get past the HRT of Pedro de la Grosjean to get his Lotus up to

speed. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button battled hard. Hamilton was

determined to get his final pole position of his McLaren Korea. In

the Championship battle, they wanted to get ahead of Sebastian

Vettel on the grid. Fernando Alonso had to settle for eighth. When

there are strange circumstances, with rain or something, let's hope

we see something like that. Sebastian Vettel is 13 points ahead

of Fernando Alonso in the Championship. He was also hoping to

control today's race from the front. He had won flying lap to get it

right and crossed the line 4th quickest. It is simple. We have had

19 races so far. This is another one. We will try to do our best.

McLaren lockout the front row of the grid for the 4th time this

season. Sebastian Vettel is alongside. Massa at qualifies

Alonso in 5th. Everyone moves up one place. Hulkenberg is in 6th

with Fernando Alonso in servants. Paul di Resta ransack the top 10. -

- in 7th. Michael Schumacher and HRT on the grid in Formula One.

They filled the back row. It was a great session yesterday. A real

fight for the flag. She said, it is great to see our boys out front.

First, beat two men fighting for the title, both out qualified by

team-mates. It is circumstance. What we can do is look back on the

last races and save what and incredible consistent job they have

done. It did not quite work out around this tricky race track.

one will be surprised if Ben Ando manages to pick up a podium place.

-- if the Fernando Alonso. He has a wing man. No surprise, Massa needed

a new gearbox. If I was Sebastian Vettel, I would be having a glimpse

into the mirror to see where Massa was. He could be the key to all of

this. We saw what happened yesterday. The number twos out

qualified the number ones. My thing that is because they had a median

set up on the car to cope with the wet better. We will keep our eye on

a weather for you. Fernando Alonso is the master at getting their

result Heaney its for a race. -- the result Heagney it's for a raise.

You could argue, in terms of pace and development, they do not

deserve to be in the title. The have the most front-row knockouts

in the history of this sport. A fantastic achievement and a great

way for Lewis to sign off? Fantastic for McLaren. They were

extremely strong in Texas and Lewis wanted a big result. Jenson Button

will be happy with the fact that as Lewis goes on, and he's considered

the better qualifier, he is right behind. That's a good position for

him as he takes over the number one position. I think he knows that, so

he's very happy. This is the car that he will be climbing into to

attack this Grand Prix. He brings with him amazing memories of

winning the title in 2008. I'm sure he'll be drawing on those again?

promised he would leave McLaren in an unbelievably strong position,

where his legacy could live on. He told us yesterday that he felt this

was his home. He will also need to reflect on what went wrong this

year. This was the best car in Formula One. He should be in the

best position for this championship. There will be an element of regret.

You have been texting Lewis asking if you could talk to him on the

grid. What was his response? said no problem. But that remains

to be seen. There might be issues between now and then. Well, the

text message has been sent, that is all you need to know. Talking of

Lewis Hamilton, there is plenty of emotion in the pit lane. There will

be an awful lot in the garage when, for the final time as a McLaren

driver, Lewis Hamilton pulls on his helmet. It's been a great again so

far. I hope that we can push tomorrow. I don't know what the

weather conditions are going to be like. But it was great to be 1-2

with Jenson. People always like talking about the weather. It seems

to dominate in Brazil. It's not necessarily setting up a car for

wet or dry in Formula One any more, what are you expecting? It's going

to be a difficult race. I've always started from fourth or 18th. Once I

was 18, the rest was four. I was saying to Martin, I don't want to

start in fourth. I don't mind if I start 5th or further forward. But

I'm very proud and happy that I got pole. The helmet is a nice touch as

well. After all of the years they have been together, the investment

and commitment from both, will there be a slight regret that he

leaves the team with only one Drivers' Championship and no

Constructors' Championship? course, you can always look back

and try to make things better. But that's reality. That is what has

happened. One championship, it is still a mighty haul for somebody so

young. He should have won the championship in his first year. I

think Lewis Hamilton can leave with pride. He's done a remarkable job

for McLaren. No question, he can leave with his head held high.

McLaren gave him a great opportunity, but he's replied that.

-- repaid that. He only had one shaky season, last year, that

trouble getting together with Massa. He's back in his brilliant best,

smiling, happy, except in his new challenge. They are leaving on good

terms. Don't be surprised if they are reunited in a few years. That

is Lewis's dad talking to them. Maybe they are discussing the

contract when the Mercedes deal runs out? Before long, the cars

will be making their way out of the grid. But the cars had already been

around the circuit at a more sedate They might be some excitement

during the race, with some showers. We don't know. Maybe even now,

before. We have to take it as it comes. Looking for it to the rates.

It's something special here, the people are crazy. We were quite

competitive all weekend, I think we've got a great car. Sometimes we

have seen we are a little bit closer. If there is a chance to win,

we go for victory. The conditions, fighting for the championship will

be very difficult. We will see what happens. Rain, no reign, whatever

happens, it will come. Whatever happens now, it is destiny, let's

say. Whatever happens, we will enjoy. I hope that people enjoy it

as well. To have any chance, we need to be on the podium. It is not

done yet. We need to concentrate on our race because it's not easy to

get into the podium. Even if we get into the podium and have that

chance, then it is up to the others. It is out of our hands, probably.

think there is rain around. I heard that later on there is no raining.

But it is quite windy, as you can see. To be on pole, I'm so happy.

It's probably one of the first years I have come here and they are

not doing me, they are billing Alonso. -- booing. It's great to

come back, it was not as successful as I wanted it to be. But I learned

a lot that I am quite glad for. Beautiful people, good emotions

again. Now it is time to go back to the life that I had around Formula

One. Good luck to Michael Schumacher, a man with a very long

and successful association with this team. What were you talking

about? What were the last minute tracts going on? As you can imagine,

we are looking at what is going on around here, clouds. It seems like

there are clouds, but no rain. saw a tweet from Fernando Alonso

this morning, saying that he had nine hours' sleep. How many did you

get? A little bit less. Enough to hopefully be woken up and rational.

Eddie? The interesting thing is, how good a job, if you could put in

the right context, Alonso? We think he has done the best driver

championship ever with your car. For sure, an incredible season.

Since the beginning of the season, when the car was not very quick, he

was able to maximise the points. On the other side, the team was able

to react to the last race. For sure, who will win will deserve the title.

We always said that we will do the maximum. To arrive here,

considering the competition with McLaren, in my view the fastest car

in the beginning of the air and may be the fastest car now, to arrive

at something so important means a lot. Then we don't have to be

complacent. We would like to see Ferrari not only fighting for the

championship, as it was with the last race in the last couple of

years, but also try to win the last race. If you could just take us

inside the team, is there any special pep talk that you do with

all the team members in the morning? Or do they just come in

and do their job as normal? First of all, last night we were all out

to have a very quiet dinner at the House of Felipe Massa. Just to stay

together, as we normally do. Today we said, listen, guys, no trembling

legs, no short arms. Just do the job that you do. We know it may not

be enough, but just do what you can. Be proud of what you're doing.

much have you learnt in previous seasons? In 2008, he tried to come

from behind to beat Lewis Hamilton. Then again, you fell short. What of

those experiences taught your drivers and the team? Yes, 2007. We

were there. Unfortunately, but anyway... You need to sometimes

leave it until the last moment. Sometimes, it seems easy to say,

but you need to stay focused. The events are so quick that you have

to be there and try to be concentrated. Finally, are you

desperate for rain? Honestly, I don't know. When you are asking for

something that you think is the better thing for you, then it is

the other way around. Whatever it will be, it will be tossed a thank

you very much. One microphone is never enough for Eddie. Give him

Let's let you know exactly how this championship picture is looking.

You can see, 13 points between the top two. Only a couple of years ago,

Ferrari blew 15 points in that last phrase. They did. They need

circumstances to happen that have only happened four times this

season. It has happened, but in the minority. They know it's an uphill

battle. I love how he says he never stopped believing. What will be

will be. That would be a good name for a song. Very impressed with him,

he was very relaxed in this moment, the Constructors' Championship.

What has caught your eye is McLaren fighting Ferrari for second place?

Well, two things. If McLaren finish when they qualified, that puts them

into second place. Bank managers do not cash promises. There will be

very happy with the clarinet they can finish first and second, that

will be an extra 10 million in the bank. It's not forget, that team

down there, Marussia, in tenth place, if they keep that slot,

which I am convinced they will, that will make sure they are in the

many big time next year. We will hear from Christian Horner in a

moment. First, come over here with me, briefly. You can see a very

quiet podium. Nothing happening up there at the moment. At the end of

the race, we wonder who will be standing there. If Sebastian Vettel

is on that podium, he is world champion. The this is how Alonso

can overturn those points and make sure he walks away with the world

championships. If Fernando Alonso finishes in first, he need

Sebastian Vettel to the 5th or worse. If he can get second, he

needs Vettel to the 8th or worse. If he finishes third, tenth or

worse then Fernando will be the champion. The headline is that he

must be on the podium. Christian Horner is alongside us. Looking at

those permutations, the emotions in the team this morning? What is the

atmosphere? Very good. A big part of this year was dealt with in the

Constructors' Championship. That is a weight off everybody's mind. This

race is like no other. The preparation is the same as the

previous 19. At this stage of the season, when we talk about gearbox,

engine, where do you think you set relative to the competition? Closer

mileage, all under control? Why did you have to mention that?! We are

in the same situation that others are run. We have confidence that

everything should be fine. There are always underlying fears and

worries. But I've got every confidence. Christian, we can see

here live in the garage. Was Sebastian Vettel a little bit

nervous in qualifying? I don't think so. The McLarens have been

quick all weekend. Friday, they were particularly quick. He didn't

have the best second lap. He made a mistake and then he needed to get a

banker in. He was like the Conservative. Hats off to Mark, who

has always been quick, he put in a good time. You mentioned Mark, how

important a role is he going to play in this championship? Well,

he's done a tremendous job for the team. He's been a big part for the

Constructors' Championship. He knows the importance of this race.

Rather than thinking too much about permutations, his role is to get

his head down, get into the race. Then we will see where we are. If

he was needed to help his team- mates, I've got no doubt, as a team

player, he would do. On the reverse, Felipe Massa is going to be right

alongside your guys at the top. Would you expect the message from

his team to be as punchy as he likes with the Red Bulls? I've got

no idea. What would you expect? Ferrari is very much focused around

one driver. You can see that from the way they have operated,

certainly last again. But he's a fair driver, I have no reason to

think there would be anything underhand happening. It's very

windy at the moment. I'm sure you were delighted when you saw blue

skies. What are your radars telling you now? They are covering

themselves at the moment by saying it is a 50% chance of rain. We have

spotters out on the track, keeping an eye on the weather. It's going

to come at some point, it's just a question of when. Then you need to

be on your toes. The big thing around here is the rivers that

conform very quickly. You've got to be able to react quickly and be on

the right tyres at the right time. We are expecting the obligatory

locked shaking shot on the wall. Christian is looking for another

Drivers' Championship to add to that all stopped us titles he's got

already. These are the awards that everybody on Formula One really

wants to get their hands on. Let's talk about the big moments of the

year. We've seen a lot of overtaking. Can we pick a best

overtake? The one that sticks in my mind, because of the intensity,

that thing he had to do to keep his championship alive, was Alonso's

move on Webber in Abu Dhabi. That was crucial. A man who loves racing

at Spa, Kimi Raikonnen, Michael Schumacher and one of the most

famous corners in Formula One. wasn't as good as Webber the year

before. It wasn't as close. Michael is not at the height of his powers,

but that was probably the moment he realised it was time to retire.

Hulkenberg in Korea, he used his KERS strategically, went around on

four, was run wide and managed to stick with it. That was a great

pass. You have been voted by the BBC to have made the overtaker of

beer. Congratulations. That you very much, I am not on Ed. It was a

good move, I am glad everybody saw that from the outside. When you

passed them, did you say, amateurs? No, but I had a big smile on my

seems to win this award every year and that is Fernando Alonso. He is

able to make it stick. The race he had in Austin. Everything was

focused to see where he would come in the race and he got himself up

to 4th place. He was great around the outside. Best start of the year

for Austin, the last race. Fantastic! You are the winner for

the second it in a row. Well done! Thank you very much. Formula One is

always about knowledge. Knowledge and knowing how to win. I think if

you are saying it is about knowing what it takes to win, there can

only be one contender and one winner. Kimi Raikkonen, I am

delighted to present you with the award for knowing what it takes to

win after leaving your team in no uncertain terms on the radio.

need to keep working for fawn Aberu Kebede tyres. Yes, yes, yes! --

working all four tyres. It is not the first time and probably will

not be the last time. It is normal. If people like it, it is good.

Dealing with the pressure and disappointment of bad qualifying.

In Abu Dhabi, circumstances changed -- played out. He kept his

Championship very much intact. Voted by a panel of experts,

another one for your covenant. is really heavy. -- your cabinet.

was not an expert so I did not vote. Who voted? Eddie Jordan! He is an

expert. Apparently. A Formula One legend and world champion. Someone

who has a great relationship with Mercedes-Benz. It should be Michael

Schumacher. I do not mean him. I would like to present you with the

pipe and slippers retirement award for showing great adversity when

retiring when winds could have given you the title. I appreciate

that. It is my first BBC award. were a naughty boy last year. You

have not won the title but how much does this make up for not winning

the drivers' champion? It goes towards it. Well done! Time for the

final award. Thank you very much. The final award of the day is an

award for you. It is a scoop. could this be about? Scoop of the

Year award is given to you, saying that Lewis Hamilton after all these

years was going to sign for Mercedes-Benz. Look at that! He has

won something for the first time since the late 1990s. You can see

all the Ferrari mechanics and the guys are preparing to go to the

grid. They will know that with Fernando Alonso having just left

the garage, he will give everything. He is who they want in that car.

is the most tenacious try that I have ever come across in the

history of Formula One. -- tenacious driver. There he is,

Michael Schumacher, heading out of the garage! How apt this man can

win the title today. To think where he was at monster. He was nowhere.

-- just think where he was. Lewis Hamilton, out of the garage for the

last time. It is such an emotional pit lane. We have not talked about

Kamui Kobayashi and Heikki Kovalainen, who may also be in the

last races. Formula One just builds and builds into a massive crescendo

and it usually is here, in Brazil, where it all unfolds. We were no in

a couple of hours what the future is for us and who the world

champion is. -- we well know. Interesting that Lewis Hamilton

normally says he is rude. What will be going through his mind at the

moment? He will have to do the best job. His team-mate will be in front

of him. The icing on the cake, Massa, in front of the supportive

crowd. He could be so helpful to the bid by Fernando Alonso for the

Championship. We can see legends of Formula One knocking around. We

believe they will be handing out trophies. Just over 20 minutes to

go until the start of this race. You are not expecting Filipe Massa

to do anything naughty, are you? minutes to go, I do not know what

is going on. Everyone is shouting and roaring. The engines are noisy.

At the moment, it is overcast but no rain. I believe the cloud has

lifted a bit. Who knows what will happen? It can change at a moment's

notice. Mark Webber is on form. He has qualified in the top three in

the last six races. He can help the team a lot today. Of course he can.

As indeed Massa can full stubby do not know which way what this will

unfold. -- Massa can. We do not know which way this will unfold.

Mark Webber was bitterly disappointed in Austin. He did not

get a podium finish. Just like Lewis Hamilton did not get it in

previous races. People bounce back from bitter disappointments to have

great races. Let's talk about what Sebastian Vettel and Fernando

Alonso need to do. The big issue for Fernando Alonso is that he

needs to be on the podium but the McLarens are so fast and that will

cause him array of problem. disappointment for him is, the

reality is that the team-mates of Sebastian Vettel are McLaren. They

can help him most in this particular situation. We have a

problem. This is Michael Schumacher preparing to go at around the

circuit. This is his final race. He is finally leaving Formula One

after an incredible career. It is a thank you to the fans and a thank

you to the sport. You gave this man his first ever drive in Formula One,

how are you feeling? We did not speak a lot together. In recent

times clap we have become quite chummy by Michael's standards. --

in recent times, we have become. It was his 21st year in Formula One

and he grabbed my hand and said, not many believed we would still be

here 21 years later. I will always remember that. It was a telling

moment. He was thinking about it and he said this. If you are not

that old, and you do not remember when he started, Robin Hood and the

Prince of Thieves was the film to watch and the internet was nine

days old. He is starting in the middle of the pack here today if

will start he has also got a wet set-up on the car. It will be tough

for him if the rain does not come. He actually probably has this just

right. He is quick enough to go up opaque in the drive and, if it is

wet, he will get up close to the podium. -- quick enough to go well

in the dry and, if it is wet. Fantastic qualifying yesterday.

Just the first drips of rain. You have all bases covered for this

afternoon. I hope so. It will be a tough race. You do not know what

the weather will do. Who knows what will happen in the next five

minutes? The team have done a great job. Trying to keep emotions out of

it at the moment and focus on the job. This is your last race for

McLaren. Any words you want to send out for all the supporters you have

had before you take when you next challenge? Just for the team that

of watching, I would speak to you when I get at the factory. It has

been such a pleasure working for this team and with everyone here. I

am really proud of everyone's efforts. To all the fans, I hope

they continue to support McLaren because it is such a great team -

the best team. I hope in the future they will still support me. Have a

great race and enjoy it. That was very nice to get a few words from

Lewis Hamilton. If you look down at, as 300 metres to the first corner,

and you cannot see the apex at will. It is somewhere around, underneath

that bridge. It is challenging for the drivers to spot where they are

going. It is a slightly uphill start here and television events

really does elevation change justice. The driver on pole

position are going -- the drivers on pole position are going to have

to start with the brake on. It is a big challenge for them. I am not

sure there is any other grand prix track there you have that elevation

change. If you look into the cockpit of the car of Jenson Button,

if you can swing the camera around, look at the size of the wreck any

honour. With their thinking they were set up for straight line speed.

-- we were thinking. Looking at the size of that! Clearly this car is

working very nicely. Great qualifying by Mark Webber. If we

wandered in here, we can see Sebastian Vettel talking to his

engineer. They have a close relationship. Very important that

these men know exactly what the other is thinking. Sebastien, can I

walk with you? I do not think he caught me. The rain is coming. One

man who is walking, we will see if we can do a quick court with Jenson

Button. You are looking very calm. That was a great qualifying lap

yesterday. You are laying down a marker for being undisputed number

one. The car felt really good. It was a lot of fun to drive. The

weather is all over the place. That is pretty normal here for the race.

When the cars come out and the fumes, the rain comes down. They

raise a lot of smell of fumes on the grid. Are you getting that?

is the generators and not the cars. Thank you for pointing that out. It

has been a while! He is a bit too quick for us. Michael Schumacher

disappearing up the stairs. It is very busy. No difficulty spotting a

Brazilian around here. We spoke to you just before coming to the grid.

A few spots of rain. Does that change anything with strategy going

into the Grand Prix? It is not enough to be wet yet but it adds to

the tension. It will be an interesting finale. The forecast

says it should blow over but it looks pretty dark. We will leave

you with those thoughts. The weather will be a big challenge for

the teams have to manage. I do not mind getting a word with Martin

Whitmarsh. He is always open and frank. His interview yesterday, his

honesty was fantastic. We get an earful of Renault engine. Maybe we

can walk away from that noisy engine. You interview yesterday was

fantastic. Very open and honest. What do you see at the end of the

race? If it were dry, presumably you would win. This changes

everything. Exactly that. I think so rain could change everything. We

want a boring, processional race. What the fans and everyone else

wants, is something exciting happening. Fernando Alonso has

driven so fantastically. At the moment you say that Sebastian

Vettel is in pole position for regaining the Championship. In

these conditions, any young can slide off. Fernando Alonso is more

than capable of sneaking up there. It seems you forgiven him for the

difficulties he gave you in that one season racing for McLaren?

life moves on. In a car that hasn't been the quickest car in a single

race this year, the fact he is there, Ferrari are there fighting

for the championship and we are not, I've got to be a little bit humbled

by it. We've had a quick car and we haven't got it done this year. I

think he's probably had the best year of his career. He deserves to

win it. But nobody can say that Sebastian Vettel doesn't deserve to

win it either. I think he should, if nothing goes wrong. He's got a

quicker car, he's in front, he has the points lead. Anything can

happen, if it starts to rain then people can fall off. Getting into

that sweet spot of operation, when you have intermediate wet tyres, if

you are there than you are up two as it is quicker than the guy in

front. Lots of things can happen. Fernando has less to lose. There's

a lot less pressure on him. He's very experienced, a formidable

competitor. Hopefully, I'm not worrying about that, I'm just going

to worry about turn 1 and turn for, maybe on the first lap. Hopefully

our boys go through that clearly and afterwards it becomes dull and

processional. Right, Martin Whitmarsh, poles apart from Kimi

Raikonnen when it comes to answering questions. Let's wander

down here. Here is a legend of the sport. Nelson Piquet, three-times

world champion, we believe you are handing out the trophies later.

What do you think about Formula One and the drivers out there? Well, it

looks much easier than before. that case, you think you weren't

paid enough for your scales back in your day? Well, it is not true,

come on. You drove for Bernie. He is the modern controller of Formula

One. How was he to deal with when he was a team owner? Well, he was

all right. It was good. You know, I had seven years together and we

have good fun. We went two championships. We could win more.

Nice to talk to you. Continuing down the grid, you can see the

Lotus of Kimi Raikonnen. A little as unfortunate in qualifying. He

had an engine failure in morning practice. A very limited running.

He's definitely out of position. I just want to see if I can get a

word with Nico Rosberg. He's talking to his engineer. It might

be a little bit on the light side. Let's just see. We consider his

qualifying position to beat... A quick word? It seems he did a

pretty good job yesterday in qualifying, all things considered.

You consider you are a bit out of position, you outperformed the

balance of the car? Yesterday, yeah, it was OK. You know, top 10. We are

looking OK for raise pace, if it stays dry. I could keep up for the

guys in front, you know? Maybe I can score some points today. If I

could just bought you were away from the noise, if you don't mind,

Michael's last race. You grow up watching him as a little boy. Have

you apologised for beating him so much over the years or had a talk

with him this morning? Not at all. I don't really follow it too much.

Of course, I don't know, it is his own thing. He looks pretty relaxed

about it himself. I am sure within it is not that relaxed. But from

what he shows, it is quite relaxed. You seem relaxed. Have a good

afternoon. I'll hand back to you, Jake. Excellent, and you very much.

You can shoot up to the commentary box. A brilliant final walk along

the grid. We heard from Rosberg, Mercedes need a strong race. No

points in the last five races? disappointing. Also, the question

about if Lewis made the right decision. As the races unfold, and

they have almost nothing to show from it, you would have to question

that. Let's hear from a man who is looking to play a part in this race,

Felipe Massa. A how are you feeling be for your home Grand Prix? It's

incredible to race here. It is always going to be the weather, but

I will try the best. You have been involved in Your Own titanic

championship battle. What is your role involving Fernando's

championship bid? I hope I can help him, but we need to try to do the

best race that we can. Hoping he has a good race. Straight after

that, Lee grabbed Michael Schumacher. How are you feeling

before your last race? Pretty good. A nice touch, the flag? Yes,

Sabrina's idea. A very good one. A great emotions, sharing my passion.

That was basically my motto. That is what I want to say thank you for.

I hope you finish on a high. 90. all have our fingers crossed that

Michael Schumacher has a strong race. What was the difference

between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso yesterday? It was

very close. David Coulthard gives us a good idea of why they were

pole man, it is all about who is going to be the youngest ever

triple world champion. Fernando Alonso won the right, Sebastian

Vettel on the left. The start- finish line, 18,000 rpm bouncing on

a limiter. Inter-necine won, we can already see that Sebastian Vettel

is in a much tighter line. Look at the steering-wheel position. A lot

of under-Steer in that position. Alonso was still having to use a

lot of the kerb, which compromises his positioning. Down the back

straight, deploy KERS, DRS wide open. A big brake into tenor four.

Drops down the hill, neat and tidy. Through the flat-out turn 5. See

the elevation changed as they rise in to turn six. Again, more

steering lock on the Ferrari. As Alonso reacts to the balance of his

car, he literally launches it over the inside kerb inter-necine 8.

Front right wheel, almost on the grass as he releases and drops down

into nine. Look at the amount of steering lock that the Ferrari has.

This is a sign of a car set up for racing today. Meanwhile, back on

the qualifying laps, Alonso rocks up into turn 10. He runs a little

bit wide. The traffic is kind to him as he drops through turn 11. He

slides into turn 12. Neat and tidy from these two double world

champions. It's all about show me a horsepower, as they ride through 13,

14, 15. Nothing much for the drivers to do other than to hang on

and hold for the line. Fourth place for Vettel, fourth place for -- if

the place for Alonso. To add to the drama, it is now

really raining. Who is it going to be? I have to say Vettel. The end

of a compelling season awaits us. If you want to press the red button

or go to the website, you can ride on board with various racers. Time

to hand over to Gary Anderson, David Coulthard and Ben Edwards to

lead us through one last race. Perhaps now is the perfect time to

reflect on a season that has given us so much, but is so far from over.

Whatever happens in the next 90 minutes, one bit of advice, savour

unfolding story so full of twists and turns that it could have been

the product of Hollywood. A script that brought together flesh and

metal. Emotion and power. The greatest car chase ever. It dealt

in fantasy, in impossible happenings, unpredictable in every

scene. Old favourites return to the stage to show that they had lost

none of their lustre. Some stars dimmed. Reduced to mere extras as

we embraced new heroes with familiar names. We cheered for the

underdog, a celebration cut short. Like an action movie, it kept you

on the edge of your seat. Bravery, excitement, glamour. They life out

of reach. Sub-plots evolved, storylines changed. Triumphs and

pitfalls, a love story gone sour. Heroes and villains, switching in a

moment. It had to be scripted. An epic tale requires the perfect

backdrop. This one was altered with every episode. Some of these

supporting stars came with stripes, gritted with a warm fanfare. Others

became the focus themselves as the tension rose. Still, the old

director stood firm. And now to the end, the Greatest story ever told

has an ending just as captivating. Last year's leading man now shares

the spotlight. Two characters, both hoping to see all their own

Fallujah. But this is no tired sequel. This is the soap opera. --

seal their own trilogy. We await the final scene. Lights out. Camera,

Interlagos, Sao Paulo. For the 6th time in eight years, the title will

be decided here. Host of around 20 of the longer season in Formula One.

Eight different drivers have won Grand Prix this year. Only

Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso can be crowned champion today in

Brazil, the country where Alonso clinched his two previous titles in

2005 and 2006, and when Sebastian Vettel won in 2010. Drivers enjoy

this track, but it is unforgiving and fatiguing. Overtaking is

possible on a full throttle 16 second burst coming out of the

final turn. Also, on the DRS assisted straight to turn number

four. Alonso will need to overtake to win the title. He must finish in

the top three. Even then, if a Vettel is 4th or higher he will

wrap it up. There is also a race to be won. But as Hamilton is hoping

to win his last Grand Prix for McLaren before going to Mercedes.

Michael Schumacher is one of the drivers starting his last ever

Grand Prix. So much to keep an eye on, not least the weather. Gary,

what can you tell us? Hang on. is not spitting, but it is going to

be greasy. We have to stick to the tyres that we have at the moment. I

think they are still all right. It Sebastian Vettel. This really makes

it difficult for the teams in terms of how they start the race. It does

make it difficult. There is a light mist. It's not much to affect

things, but getting that on your visor you don't know when it

changes and becomes a heavy mist. I think it will stay dry. I don't see

the sky heavy enough for a big downpour. I think it will stay as a

light mist for a while. Most teams think it will blow past. Fernando

Alonso looking composed, as far as we can tell, as he sits seventh on

the grid. The same position as last time. Michael Schumacher a little

further back. He's in 13th place. He's been there a couple of times,

in Abu Dhabi, Spa, he qualified from 13th place. His are the best

result has been sixth place in Italy. Seven times he's been in the

points, but he also has seven on the finishers, including the last

six races. Louis Hamilton lines up on pole position. 7th pole position

of beer for him. He's led the same number of laps as Fernando Alonso.

He's been the best qualifier of the season, yet he is not fighting for

the title. There have been too many problems and retirements for the

McLaren and Lewis Hamilton. Philippe Nazare, could he play a

factor? He is one place behind Sebastian Vettel and the out-

qualified Fernando Alonso yesterday. He's on a run of nine. Finishers

following that podium in Japan. -- nine point finishes.

Webber and Vettel making an all Red Bull second row. Massa and

Hulkenberg, a good performance from him in India. Alonso is in seventh,

with Kimi Raikonnen in eighth. Ros Bergin 9th, Paul Di Resta is in

tenth. Bruno Senna is 11th in his Williams. Sergio Perez in Twelfth.

Michael Schumacher is in 13th. Kobayashi, it could be his final

start in Formula One. Maldonado, he has a 10 place a penalty for a

number of wreck romance. Vergne and Grosjean are on rower nine. Then we

have Glock and Pic. It's completed by de la Rosa or. It could be the

last race for both of those drivers. The tyres have been heated by these

blankets. They will try to retain that warmth as much as possible,

particularly with the track conditions? It's difficult enough

to keep to higher temperature normally. Schumacher, one of the

HRTs. They are on option. I was going to say, it's difficult to say

how much it is spitting down. Just having a few drops of rain on your

visor, it gives you doubt. It's easier for the following cars than

the lead car. If they go barrel again to turn four, only to find

they have to brake earlier than expected, everybody can react to

that. This is their position where pole position, certainly the leader

rout of the first corner, is not the median compound tyres. If you

look further down, they are starting up on harder compound

tyres, especially with the weather conditions as they are. Fernando

Alonso has to finish in the top three whatever happens to Sebastian

Vettel. It will be much easier for Sebastian Vettel but let's wait and

see. On that camera, there was a lot more of rain. We saw that in

qualifying and just beforehand. It affected the bottom end of the

circuit, into the last sector. Kimi Raikkonen is scrubbing the front

tyres over the surface of the tarmac, trying to generate as much

heat as possible. The brakes go over 1000 degrees. That radiates

into the wheel and them -- and the tyre. You do not get many

opportunities to put that heat into the brakes. Expect some

difficulties on the first lap. is one of the minimum length grand

prix circuits. Climbing up the hill towards the great, they crossed the

pit lane entry on the correct line. We saw yesterday Romain Grosjean

trying to drive into the HRTs. Hamilton is taking its steadily.

Jenson Button had the pit limiter coming up. They select that to help

them with the clutch pipe.. You can see the car juddering. -- clutched

by eight. Macro. Hamilton and Button are in the front. Schumacher

and and family Kobayashi and Ben Vitaly Petrov and Heikki Kovalainen.

-- Kamui Kobayashi. And this could depend on the toss of a coin. We

are about to find out. The last two cars move into position. Canned the

McLarens dominate in a race? Hamilton verses of Button off the

front of Rover. A great start by Massa. He is up to second almost.

Sebastian Vettel has dropped right back into the pack. He did not get

the weight at all well. Hamilton leads. -- get away at all well.

That was Sebastian Vettel. He was hit. He has made contact. How much

damage is on the Red Bull? Sebastian Vettel has been hit. How

much damage? We do not know. left side of the car has been

damaged. He has been hit on the left side. He has damaged. What

will the tea into? Mark Webber has a real job to do now. -- what will

the team do? Here comes Mark Webber. He moves up to the outside. Again,

Fernando Alonso on the inside was up he moves up to third place,

which is where he needs to be pulled up -- on the inside. There

is visible damage but we cannot fix it. That confirms damaged to the

left side of the car. He crossed the line in 22nd place. The Red

Bull team returned to the garage. He has a race on his hands to

retain the World Championship. ate his Filipe Massa doing a

fantastic job. -- there is Filipe Massa up. If they finish where they

are now, Fernando Alonso would be world champion. Bruno Senna is out

of the race and so it is Sergio Perez. We have lost some key

drivers. Sauber has had a real run of poor finishes. It looks to me,

the future of this World Championship rests with Mark Webber.

It looks like the Force India is in his slipstream will start he is

getting in front of Mark Webber. passes into 4th place. Hulkenberg

was fast in the wet for a couple of years ago. Data it looks OK.

Sebastian Vettel has done a quick lap faster than anyone at Cowes. --

anyone else. Crucially, he is just at the back of the camera shot. He

crossed the line 12.8 seconds behind the race leader, Lewis

Hamilton will stop the conditions are playing into his hands.

Hamilton has to be defensive. He comes across and makes a great

start with Jenson Button covering. Fernando Alonso takes the brave

outside line. You can see Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel

covering each other. It allows Fernando Alonso to come around the

outside. It gives him a position to go into 10 tooth. It was a cautious

start from Sebastian Vettel. -- into turn two. He has a look down

the inside. Jenson Button gave him some space. This is the start by

Sebastian Vettel. He was an wheel to wheel with his team-mate but it

was such a shallow line. He has to be careful. He almost came into the

back of the Force India. He had di Resta behind him. Bruno Senna hit

the side of the car. Incredible! He was wide on turn but it was a clear

whack. He got hit by the Williams. That is what has done the damage.

The girlfriend of Fernando Alonso is excited and happy and wants to

burst into tears. Sport brings that emotion and they are running high

in Brazil. Hamilton leads the race from his team-mate. Jenson Button

is in second and Fernando Alonso is in third. That is the minimum he

needs if Sebastian Vettel does not score a point. He has made some

places. He is up to 17th. Fernando Alonso is off! It might allow Mark

Webber us through. Mark Webber is going to carry that speed. Alonso

on the inside, can he hold off Mark Webber? He has just enough speed to

do so. He has lost third place. Nico Hulkenberg is having to drive

of his life. Massa almost gets him. I thought that had accident written

all over it. Massa committed to the early in sideline. Actually it is

better to state off the racing line. -- inside line. It looks as if the

advantage was with Fernando Alonso but it has swung back to Mark

Webber. We see the replay of the action in to turn up when Aberu

Kebede. This was Fernando Alonso, passing his team-mate. -- 10 one.

This was a lock up. Look how close he came to spinning it! He was

fighting to keep the car on the track. This is the collision

between Bruno Senna and Sebastian Vettel. It is the second impact of

that was so big. We're looking at Massa against Mark Webber. Fernando

Alonso is slowing the whole group down. He is really struggling for

pace. Massa is doing his best to block them all behind. Fernando

Alonso has his wing man doing everything he can to hold the group

back. As these conditions get more and more difficult, it is a

question of, who blinks first? Maybe they will need to come in for

intermediates. Hamilton is still leading the race. That graphic is

showing Button on top but Hamilton is still leading the race. A car is

off in the background. Who is that? With think it is Romain Grosjean.

That was a big crash. Button locks up. Batten was just a fraction

ahead of Hamilton. -- Button. It is still Hamilton bleeding. What the

contest we have between the two team-mates! Mark Webber is facing

the wrong way. What is going on? Something has happened at Turn One.

Did Mark Webber had contact? Will there be a safety car for Romain

Grosjean? Can they removed the car without endangering the Marshalls?

This is Button coming out of turn three. This is Hamilton coming back

at Button, down into Turn One. Please keep up with the action.

Mark Webber gets hit. This is Romain Grosjean. Let's see how he

lost it. He'd just got away. snapped in turn 11. The camera

stopped just before the impact. So much action going on here this

afternoon. There are the leaders. It is Hamilton and Ben Button. What

are you seeing in pit lane? Kimi Raikkonen put on intermediates and

Michael put on hards. Kamui Kobayashi gets back on. Once again,

Hamilton is being chased by Button. Jenson Button goes through the full

stamp now that the arrests will favour Hamilton over the next lap

or so. -- goes through. The ers will favour Hamilton. He is in the

points and he is in eighth position, chasing down the Sauber of Kamui

Kobayashi. I think he will get a drive-through or some penalty. The

rules are very clear on that. Sebastian Vettel has to play it

cautiously. This is as coming through 10. It is a long race.

is doing a good job so far, Sebastian Vettel. It is 7th place

for Sebastian Vettel at the moment. Where is Fernando Alonso? He is in

force. That is not enough. Massa comes through. Sebastian Vettel is

in 6th place. That is astonishing. He has made a background. -- he has

made up that ground. The rain is falling heavier than it was at the

start. They have got tired temperature. It is treacherous out

there. Jean-Eric Vergne with Rosberg. It is still Button leading.

Sebastian Vettel is on the climb. His next target will be Filipe

Massa will start -- Filipe Massa Raph. He was told he was on the

right tyre. Heikki Kovalainen is in 11th. It could put Caterhams ahead

of the richer. -- Marussia. You can see the damage. That will not

excite the team bus. Jenson Button avoided the cup and debris. -- the

being made by Red Bull. Is the intermediate the safer tier? It's

it is such on a knife-edge. It fell after Jack briefly, which did not

help but they have got him on the intermediate tier. Gary you are

seeing a lot of action? Yes, but Kimi Raikkonen still has not gone

as fast as Button on the slick tyres. It is still a dodgy area.

Intermediate so would-be safer but maybe that the slicks are correct.

I don't think the rain will stop. The feeling you get in the cockpit,

you saw Michael Schumacher slotting down the inside of Hamilton. What

you have on the intermediate, you just have block movement. It allows

the individual blocks to generate heat. This is Alonso running wide,

fighting with the tyres. I think we will see Vettel pitting. That is a

replay, and he collided! I think we will see everyone coming in for

intermediate because the risk of running on the slick tyre, you are

on the track or off the circuit. There is the work going on by the

crews. Then there is a delay. That happens so often in the early part

of the year. Alonso is in. At Championship contenders are both in.

Both in the pits at the same time Bostock switching to the

intermediate. How are the nerves at Red Bull? A very good pit-stop by

them as well. That will be a soothing sight. Nicky has his world

Championship contender in his sights. All he has to do is keep

him there. If they both finished in the points, this Championship goes

to Vettel. Timo Glock trying to get past Petrov. They have just been

battling. Vettel comes out behind his team-mate. Mark Webber battling

away further down the order with Daniel Ricciardo. Daniel Ricciardo

gets at the way of Webber. It is an awkward condition. It has stopped

raining says Jenson Button. He is staying out. He is a master of the

changing conditions. He locks up on the way into Turn One False Start

can we please follow the action at the front? Let's see what happens

in Hamilton's pit stop. It is slippery and he was more careful.

There was a delay on the right rear. And then he hit and restore and had

to re-engage the clutch. It cost him a bit of time. There is Alonso

catching all of those. Rose Burg coming through. Basij is in 17th.:

as Oake is in 12th place. Alonso lost out a little bit in the

traffic. Jenson Button still leaves. Kobayashi was almost on the grass.

He just managed to get ahead. Fantastic racing going on. Vettel

getting past Kimi Raikkonen, who seems to be struggling on the

intermediate tyres he put on earlier. Maybe he but a bit too

much heat into the compound. If you go too early, as they go through

the traffic, he HRT gets out of the way through turn eight. But in is

still on his slick tyres. You can see Webber getting out of the way

as Sebastian Vettel goes through. They are both on the intermediate.

Let's see what Lewis Hamilton did. He is on the intermediate and going

past Massa. It has put him into third. Massa has not been into the

pits. That was Kobayashi running on the grass. He managed to get the

pass. Just watching the action up front. Jenson Button pulling away

from Michael Schumacher. So his tyres are still working. Michael

Schumacher is a lap down effectively. Nico Hulkenberg is

still on the slick tyres. He is only 1.8 seconds behind Jenson

Button. Jenson Button is running about 20 seconds. And Vettel trying

to get past Rosberg. They are coming into Curva Do Laranjinha.

Sebastian Vettel trying to completed his move. Jenson Button

is 19.8 seconds ahead of Hamilton. He can still pit to get on his

intermediates and still come out in the lead. He is playing the

percentages. He still has the window of being able to pit and

come out ahead. Vettel looking to try and get back Rosberg. Rosberg

will be Hamilton's team-mate at Mercedes. Right now Vettel is

trying to pick them off one by one. Look at the attraction of turned

wild. Fantastic by Red Bull. -- attractions. Hamilton has gone a

little bit quicker than Jenson Button. A more than a second faster.

It is looking like the intermediates are coming into play.

It will see a number of cars that have not put it coming in for some

Gary, what are your thoughts looking at the lap times and

conditions? The last lap, Hamilton was slightly quicker. It is still a

light chemist but it is still coming. I think it is perfect for

Jenson Button. One of the cars has gone off, it think it is the

Marussia. So an easy pass if they in. Kovalainen is in the battle.

Caterham arbakai head of Marussia in this incredible fight the they

are having. McLaren are trying to beat Ferrari to second place in the

Constructors' Championship. Hamilton two seconds quicker on

that lap and Jenson Button. He is only 16 seconds behind the race

leader so if Jenson Button stopped, he would come out seconds. We do

gather teams are telling drivers to stay out if they are on those tyres

because it is going to be drying up. Vettel is in eighth position.

Kobayashi going past Massa, who is struggling on his slick tyres.

for Massa. Vettel did a 1:29, so eight seconds last by Massa on that

lap. Let's see what happened. a spin from Massa? He is still on

the slick tyres and Alonso is on the intermediate and had a more

grip. Alonso time, 1:32. Hamilton is not as quick on that last lap.

Jenson Button leading by less than a second from Hulkenberg.

Hulkenberg could use DRS to take the lead from Jenson Button. On

board with Sebastian Vettel. He is still chasing the Sauber of

Kobayashi. Across the line, and he will have this one. A nice

manoeuvre from Vettel. Kobayashi got out of the wave. It is

interesting just watching their lap times, Jenson Button still on slick

tyres, Nico Hulkenberg still on them as well. Massa has come in for

his intermediate so now. It is a great performance, but it is

getting wet. Lap times are getting slower. Will they stay out? If they

don't come in they will be committed later on to staying out

there if it gets more difficult. Hulkenberg chasing down Button.

Into Turn One, Hulkenberg just getting alongside. But remember the

DRS zone is coming up next. It is a real opportunity for Hulkenberg.

The team taking a look at the rear of the car to see whether damage is.

It is a picture that has been taken and given to him so he can evaluate

the car. But in just able to fend off Nico Hulkenberg. Lap times were

quicker. Gary, has it stopped raining? There is still a little

sprinkle in the air, but not as much as before. These two guys up

front have made the right decisions. But it has a raised on his hands

from will convert. These are the only two men who have not stopped

at this afternoon in first and second. If they have made the right

decision, it shouldn't affect the running order to Muchalls stop we

have Vettel in fifth. Alonso is in fourth. Jenson Button believes this

race from Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India. Hamilton is inferred,

15 seconds behind. Alonso is in fourth and Vettel is in fifth.

Fastest of the cars on the intermediate tyres. But the slick

tyre cars have gone two seconds faster. It is still very slippery

in places. They are coming off to the DRS zone and he has to get a

good exit off the Curva Do Sol. Hulkenberg, you can get back

through to earn three in these conditions would fall fuels. It is

just giving Jenson Button a breathing room. It is a tricky

Kerner in the dry. Jenson has to go defensive. We have to -- we have

seen what happens if they go wide. Just getting past Pedro de la Rosa.

TEAM RADIO: We expect the rain to continue at this level for the next

30 minutes so we need to make the tyres last. Hamilton does not like

the sound of that. He has got to make the tyres last, but he says

they are almost finished. Hulkenberg has a real chance to

close up. It looks like he strategically used his KERS. He has

tried to take Jenson Button who braked early and Hulkenberg has

taken the lead. But still a long way to go in this race. Nico

Hulkenberg was started two years ago when he was driving for

Williams. McLaren getting ready for a change. Who will it be? It is

Hamilton coming in Vostok Gary it is changing all of the time? It is

coming towards the slick tyres. The rain has stopped so that time as it

will continue to get better. He has gone on to the harder compound tyre.

Alonso is in as well. Vettel is not in yet. We can expect to see the

main contenders coming in as this track is opening up towards the

slick tyres will stop it is playing into the hands of Hulkenberg and

is leading now for Force India from Jenson Button. Hamilton is in third

position or he was, but he has just made a pit stop. That will bring

Vettel into third place for a start you are watching Fernando Alonso.

He has just gone out on a set of the medium compound tyres. Dry line

appearing now. Alonso finds the grip on those slick tyres. Hamilton

has just been in a bit of action with one of the Red Bull cars.

RADIO: Box, box, a box. Sebastian Vettel is being told to make a pit

stop. That is Vettel in front of him. You saw the oversteer. Pit

crew have come out and ready. It is relatively tidy stop. Mark Webber

is in at the same time. They practise this. They will have no

real loss of time for Mark Webber. He is on the heart tyre. What are

you making of all this, Eddie Jordan? It is fascinating. We need

a sprinkling of rain to boost the excitement. I am a bit concerned at

what Red Bull it is doing. I would want to have the guy least likely

to win the Championship - I would want Mark Webber to beat a guy out

in front - to give me the information to give me the best

possible information for Sebastian Vettel to win the Championship. In

my opinion, they have taken too long to change onto these tyres.

They are battling for position. The Red Bull has been very good in the

dry. Let's keep a look at it, if it finishes this way. How satisfying

for Sebastian Vettel would it be if he can close down and past the

Ferrari? The Red Bull has been faster than the Ferrari but he is

driving wounded. They air has been tyre shredding on the car of Nico

Rosberg. There must have been contacts on the lap. Let's look out

for a replay of what has happened. As we mentioned about Sebastian

Vettel, how much will the broken floor affect him? The damage has

been done. You have been looking at their lap times. What can we tell

from which tyres you should be on? There seems to be a mixture of

medium and hard compounds. The intermediates are absolutely worn

out. There is no rubber left on that higher earth will start I

would not be surprised if Nico Rosberg a's tyre has lost pressure

because of that. -- Nico Rosberg's tyre. The you can see very clearly

the damage to the left side of the floor. He has exposed the exhaust

system. Gary is the perfect man to explain how much turbulence that

will create. To match debris on the track. Would a safety car help or

hinder? It would not make much difference. There is a lot of

carbon fibre around. That can puncture a tyre. That is not a good

thing. A slide from Heikki Kovalainen but he gather at it

together. This is what happened to Nico Rosberg. -- gathered it

together. It looks like the tyre was deflated when he came through

turn for. That is a slick tyre. Unlikely it has anything to do with

the trade wearing out. Jenson Button set the fastest lap. A

safety car has been deployed. That is because of the debris on circuit.

This will close the field up together. We will see what effect

it has. Coming through shot is Michael Schumacher. He is in 15th

place. The safety car is out. They will gather behind the safety car

before anyone is waved through. What an amazing beginning to this

race! We are a third of a way through and so much has happened.

What an incredible end to the 2012 season. As the teams prepared, they

will get a free stop effectively. This has really hurt Hulkenberg and

Button. They are now boasts in the pits. Presumably, they will go on

to the harder compound tyres and get to the end on that. Hamilton

was faster have banned them just before the safety car came out. --

faster than them. You have to feel for them because they had a massive

lead the stub I do feel for them but this is motor racing and

anything can happen. You have to feel for Filipe Massa, he was world

champion for a few seconds before he was overtaken. Fernando Alonso

is in 4th place and Sebastian Vettel is in 5th position. It will

be heading the way of Sebastian Vettel if they finish like they are

now. Sebastian Vettel has to finish on the podium. The safety car is

out. It is now picking up... It is not yet because that is Paul di

Resta. He is in eighth place. Still waiting to pick up the leaders.

Kimi Raikkonen is still running. We lost a Lotus earlier in the race.

There is Filipe Massa, after his starring role earlier on. We now

see Hulkenberg and Button. They will stack up behind the safety car.

We have had this opportunity to draw breath. Hulkenberg and Button

have lost the 42nd advantage they had. They now will have a battle on

their hands. The track temperature is pretty low and they will have

Hamilton, who was going quickly behind them. If it has changed the

whole dynamic of the race. There is a lot of debris on the track and a

lot of rubber. All the intermediates were throwing up a

lot of rubber. We will see how it goes. All Sebastian Vettel has to

do is keep Fernando Alonso in his sights. You can see the floor

damage. Whether it affects temperatures later on... Only time

will tell whether it will go to the chequered flag or not. The car got

a hefty clout. Pastor Maldonado is out of the race. We did not really

see what happened to him in the other Williams. Both Williams cars

went out early on. Let's try to summarise what has happened. If

Hamilton and Button started on the front row together. Sebastian

Vettel made a poor start. Massa and Fernando Alonso went for it. Massa

did a fantastic job working for Fernando Alonso. Sebastian Vettel

got spun around at turn four and was out of the points and looked to

be out of the race. As we have seen, the damage is not too bad. He has

lacked quite quickly. He is back up into 5th place and only one

position behind Fernando Alonso. This is a replay of the start. That

is Bruno Senna backing the side of Sebastian Vettel. He was watching

the traffic and keeping his position. You get a photograph of

the damage. It was given to the head of the technical team. This is

the deflation of the right rear of the cup of Nico Rosberg. The

rotational forces keep the tyre... There is no air inside it but

centre pupil force keeps its running as wide as it possibly can.

-- centrifugal. I think it is OK as the debris news. He was asking the

Marshalls to get the cleaners out. To be honest, it will not be a big

drama. It does look as though the damage is quite a long way behind

that. The back of the radiator is probably 15 centimetres. We can see

the exhaust pipe. Performance wise, maybe a 10th of a second, two tents.

That was a big hit. It is Hulkenberg from Button. It has

given Hamilton another opportunity to win this race. Mark Webber is

down in 7th place. Then do Leicester. Kimi Raikkonen is in

10th. -- then Paul di Resta. The safety car will be difficult. Jean-

Eric Vergne is behind it. Charles Pic is in 17th place. At the back,

after the puncture, Nico Rosberg. The cars out of the Grand Prix are

Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado, Bruno Senna and Sergio Perez.

Everybody now is just getting into position. Hopefully it will not be

much longer before the race gets under way again. Contrasting tyres

with Fernando Alonso on medium and Sebastian Vettel on the heart.

There is expected to be two or three-tenths of a difference in

pace but we do not have that. Remember, Fernando Alonso is in

pole position right now because he is in 4th place. He needs to be on

the podium to have a chance. Sebastian Vettel is in 5th place at

the moment. If he gets into force, it does not matter what Fernando

Alonso does. -- into 4th. A lot of cars being pushed round the back of

the field. They get an instruction from race control and they are able

to pass the safety car. The question now is, how many laps will

it take them to rejoin the field? They have to respect the lap delta

to maintain a constant field behind the safety car. When you ran in

this situation, a bit of a lock up from Hulkenberg as he tries to keep

heat in the tyres. There will be a few laps to come around from the

back. Let's talk about Nico Hulkenberg. He is good and has

impressed us are numerous occasions. He has not had the card to show how

capable he is. The track is drying out. He has Fernando Alonso and

Sebastian Vettel, world champions need to go faster, it is raining

and we are losing temperature. We have just heard in the commentary

box that is the message that Jenson Button has given McLaren. He said

the safety car is not fast enough and they cannot maintain

temperature in the slick tyres. that will make it difficult on the

restart. Kimi Raikkonen did not have much in the wake of brakes and

tyre temperature but he managed to get the weighed with it. -- get

away with it. Nico Hulkenberg is making the switch after this grand

prix, at the end of the season, to Sauber. Force India will be losing

an asset, no doubt about it. This team is used to beat Jordan. In

2003, one of the Jordan drivers won this race. Nico Hulkenberg has the

pace. He was running well at the beginning of the race and having a

good go at it was dubbed there is still some nest in the air. --

missed in the air. Jenson Button said it was difficult keeping tyre

temperatures up. They need to treat it a right. The group at the back

is catching up. A bit more rain around. That group has not caught

up. The race director does not necessarily need to see them to

release the field and get the restart under way. Massa, the last

cut in the chain, you have the chasing group just coming across

the line now. They will be able to be it on the back of the group.

That is possibly by the safety car is running slower. That compounds

the difficulties. It weighs over two tons will start it has all the

mod cons. The drivers do not have a window wipers. He is adjusting his

visor and trying to keep heat in the tyres. Sebastian Vettel is in

5th place, behind Fernando Alonso. He does not need to pass him. He

just needs to keep him insight to win the Championship. What will he

do? Listen how he is working the throttle and the steering to try to

Hulkenberg in the fours India ahead of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton

as we prepare for them to get back up to racing speed. The safety car

is in an Hulkenberg goes for it, chased by Jenson Button. Hulkenberg

has opened up a gap from Button and then Hamilton and then Alonso. Here

comes Les Sable d'Olonne 1 Vettel. Down the outside goes Webber.

Kobayashi has got past Vettel. Vettel is up behind Kobayashi and

that has allowed the rest to be in the slipstream of the Red Bull.

course Kobayashi is fighting for a career in Formula One, he has got

to show what he can do. Further back, there is a Webber who has

rejoined. Webber lost a lot of places. Hulkenberg still leads an

Vettel is under pressure from di Resta. Kobayashi is striving for

his career. He does not have a seat next season. That was a bit of a

mistake from the Japanese driver. Paul di Resta getting himself

hooked up into the back end of the Red Bull as the fuel his side

thinning out. Now the pressure is on Hulkenberg. He has to set the

breaking point and is doing a fantastic job. He is breaking away

from Button. Button as a bit of pressure on from Hamilton. Alonso

still in fourth place. Vettel has dropped back and we have Kobayashi

in fifth. DRS is enabled. He has to set the breaking-point and now.

Hulkenberg, he has made it through the turn, I believe. Not helping

his cause with the lock up. Hamilton will pass him in to turn

them before. Hamilton is trying to take second and Button locks up and

Hamilton gets the past his team- mate. Hamilton takes second place

from Jenson Button. You have Alonso under pressure from Kobayashi.

Massa is in eighth and behind him is Daniel Ricciardo. Massa is

having a go at di Resta down the outside. Greater awareness from

both drivers. A great move by Massa but a good reaction from di Resta.

Hamilton has got past but an -- Button. We're not even at half

distance in his Brazilian Grand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg is leading,

Jenson Button has dropped to third behind Lewis Hamilton quiz Fernando

Alonso chasing. Fernando Alonso has to get into the top three. He is

catching Jenson Button bulls start Hulkenberg is getting away. Out

through the Curva Do Sol they come, looking down from the highly captor.

-- helicopter. More battling between Massa and Kobayashi. Where

his di Resta? Alonso has lost a place to Kobayashi, sorry. Alonso

is down to is this and the Japanese driver has got past. He had a DRS

and was able to use it. This allows Sebastian Vettel to keep a close

eye on his Championship contender. Massa has gone past di Resta and

Ricciardo has gone past as well. Raikkonen surely will have di Resta

out of the corner? They will be side-by-side. On board with Alonso.

This is to retake the fourth place at. He is through. Sebastian Vettel

has his mirrors a fall of a Massa as well. Will this allows Sebastian

speed. What a race Interlagos is delivering. Up front it is still

hung Kohlberg leading his race. -- Hulkenberg. This is how the battle

went with Kobayashi getting past Alonso. Alonso has retaken it since.

Kobayashi was nine kilometres an hour fast as we see the replay of

Massa down the inside of di Resta. Di Resta was very mature as he

gives him some space. Kobayashi is quicker in qualifying with DRS open

and the Red Bull. It Vettel gains 10 kilometres an hour. Ferrari

against Red Bull. The Brazilian and the outside sweeps around pass the

Red Bull and sensibly, Vettel does not fight too hard, he can afford

to lose that place. It is still plenty to win the Championship in

seventh place because Alonso is in force and that is not enough of a

long -- for Fernando Alonso. He now has a Toro Rosso behind him. He is

loving this. Massa has had home wins here before. He loves racing

on home turf and was helping Alonso in the early part of the race.

Alonso needs to get in the top three and right now he is not doing

enough. Alonso is not as quick as any of them. The man who is

quickest is Lewis Hamilton. Force India have been the quickest

through the practices. This will be a difficult situation for the

McLaren to try and overcome Force India. Kimi Raikkonen might get a

DRS on Michael Schumacher? No, not quite enough to have a move at

getting past the Mercedes. These two champions running in tenth and

11th places. Hulkenberg holding his own at the front. Michael

Schumacher is retiring at the end of this race. And in these kind of

conditions, in his first career, we would have seen Michael Schumacher

or Excel? There is no question Michael has found his comeback more

difficult than his first career. The Mercedes car has not developed

sufficiently to allow him and Nico Rosberg to run consistently at the

front. It seems a long time ago, Nico Rosberg with a victory in

China? It does seem a long time ago. Webber is intense place. Vettel has

the world Championship as it stands at the moment. -- in tenth place.

Hamiltons or the fastest lap. Webber is trying to close in on di

Resta. They have been a couple of errors today. You can still see the

drops of rain falling on the camera. Massa loses the the rear in the

breaking. He keeps control, but it shows what a knife edge they are on.

Massa trying to close off to the back of Kobayashi. For Ferrari it

might help if Massa is quick and get past Alonso at this point in

the race. If he got past Kobayashi. This is as difficult as it will get

on slick tyres. You can see the dry line. Who normally have the debris,

but you have this damp track. what are we seeing with the lap

times? What did you see with Vettel? A bit of a rally moment.

This exhaust system works on the floor so it will be a disadvantage

for him as well as getting rear end grip in the corner. Raikkonen did

not manage to get past Michael Schumacher. There is a reports of

rain at Cern number nine. If it is going to be raining again it will

change it wants more. That was brave from Massa. He is charged

with the energy of this Brazilian crowd. That it was his brother,

even expecting a bit of Sunshine. Massa can still be influential in

in this Championship. Vettel just doing enough in seventh. You can

see that Toro Rosso in the background. Webber is in ninth

place. Schumacher is in tenth, and as things stand right now with

Hamilton and Button second and third and the Ferrari fourth and

fifth, then Ferrari would take second place in the Constructors'

Championship. And to keep you up- to-date with the lower end teams,

none of them are in the top 12, the highest placed Caterham is in 13th,

and that is Petrov. You can see on the camera the extra rain that is

happening. Vettel with Kobayashi up ahead. Di Resta spun the car around.

Trying to get down the inside of Mark Webber and that promoted

Michael Schumacher into tenth place. It is still very tricky. If you put

a wheel slightly off-line. Nico Hulkenberg is in front of Lewis

Hamilton who again sets the fastest lap. Button is inferred, Alonso

been forced. -- Alonso is in fourth. They are trying to stick on the dry

line but if it rains again it will saving up the KERS, presumably to

use it out of turn 12. That gives you the boost up to the start-

finish straight. Vettel is moving slower in a straight line.

Raikonnen polls to the outside of a Schumacher, on the straight line as

they go to turn one. Battle of the champions. Michael Schumacher will

squeeze in as they come out of one. In the end, they run side-by-side

through two. Let's wait and see, the graphics are not showing us at

they would be spinning. Just giving each other enough space. Michael

Schumacher, we will check to see his position. I think that

Raikonnen is in front. RADIO: We are in the window, please confirm.

Coming up for another round of pit stops, by the sounds of things.

Let's remind you that early on in the this race Sebastian Vettel was

spun around on the first lap after contact from Bruno Senna. Bruno

Senna has been speaking to us. Disappointing end to all season and

your home Grand Prix. Tell us about the incident at the start that

means you are standing here now and saw Sebastian Vettel spinning?

a good start, everything was going well. In two turn four, I think of

Vettel just went straight across the track from his position. Two

cars on the side, they hit me and there was nothing to do. A pretty

big hit. Bruno Senna out. He joins Sergio Perez out in that incident.

Grosjean and Maldonado are also out of this race. But we are all on

board with Sebastian Vettel, doing enough for the moment to take the

2012 World Championship. But what a fraught race it is turning into.

Michael Schumacher, under attack from Di Resta or another to go. Did

he manage to pull off the move down the inside? Yes. That's him coming

back from that spin on turn 12. That moves them into 11th place. We

have Ferrari and Red Bull mechanics trying to remove the moisture so

that when they come in for an extra stop there will give them as dry a

box as they possibly can. thinking, drying out the area that

the cars will stop them. Massa comes through in fifth. Webber

comes into the inside of Ricciardo. That is going to help Vettel, he

has an even safer rear gunner in the shape of Mark Webber and then

Ricciardo. That is what they want. Raikonnen is five seconds behind,

we know he will not give up on any chances to gain places. Dorest day

is not far behind you there. They will be desperately tried to close

that gap. It my depend on how they do on the next set of tyres.

Despite Hamilton's great laps, Hulkenberg has maintained a little

bit of an advantage. Now he's found out where the track conditions are,

we know he is good in Interlagos. We know that he is good in changing

conditions. He has just been able to use that groove, the speed of

the Force India. Of course, as Lewis Hamilton gets closer, he has

got the gap down to 1.9 seconds, he starts running in dirty air. Force

India gets to run into that energised fresh air. He's basically

chucking back a whole bunch of turbulence on to the front wing of

the McLaren. It takes away some performance. On board with Nico

Hulkenberg. Let's ride with him for a moment. RADIO: Keep going, mate.

Keep going. What is he saying? Not sure he is getting to the end of

the lap? Is it tyres? It's difficult to catch that. Did he say

the end of the race or the lap? It sounded like the lap. There is a

Felipe Massa. He is still holding on to fifth place from Kobayashi

and Vettel. There is a little bit more rain in the air. What are you

seeing down in the pit lane, Gary? We are starting to get at mist. Not

as heavy as before but it's coming back again. This guy is becoming a

bit black, I wouldn't be surprised to see more before the end of the

race. It has to have something more in store for us. It never

disappoints, the Brazilian Grand Prix. This afternoon we are on the

edge of our seats. We certainly I in the commentary box. A very clear,

dry line. That is why you have to really pick your moment if you are

going to affect a pass. At the moment, Kobayashi is doing enough

as the Vettel rocks up, runs a bit wide. You can see the marking on

the inner side and also the front right tyre. Is that aerodynamic

damage affecting the overall balance of the Red Bull? Of course,

the teams have no real knowledge of these tyres and these conditions,

low track temperatures? You can see the graining of the French rider of

the option tyre. -- front right. That is in contrast to have run

around them using the harder tyre. The track temperature is less than

half what it was on Friday when they did the simulated race run.

All of the teams are trying to learn as much as they can, as

quickly as possible, what the tyre where his and reacting to it.

Hulkenberg is staying out there for the moment. The gap is coming down.

Hamilton was 1.9 seconds behind last time. He's gained a little bit

more on this lap. He's against five-tenths of a second. Webber,

sliding again! A little mistake from Mark Webber. That is in turn

12. That will allow Ricciardo to carry the momentum down into turn

one. Brakes on the dry line, exactly what we saw. He didn't even

turn into it. He maintains the position. Remember, the great

Ayrton Senna was spinning May 1994 in his Williams. A tricky corner.

He's got the DRS Open on the Sabbath. But they can't get past? -

- Sauber. We are hearing that Hulkenberg is complaining about the

downshift on the Force India. It's generating too much push in these

tricky conditions. The last thing that you want when you select VT,

it just gives you that shunting feeling. -- the gear. That will

allow Vettel to cut back out of two. Look at the speed advantage that

Kobayashi has in the Sauber. That was the lap when we store Vettel

use of DRS. Kobayashi is fourth- fastest so far. It shows that the

Sauber, set up for good straight- line speed, is a good race car.

Hulkenberg holding out in front from Hamilton and Button. Button

going quicker than Hamilton on the last lap. He's still in the hunt.

Alonso, not as good as the leaders. The other Ferrari of Massa is in

fifth position. Webber is still in eighth place, despite his beautiful

four we'll drift. Again, Vettel not fast enough. Dorest is 11th,

Schumacher 12th, Petrov in 13th. Caterham and desperate for one more

position for Petrov. Charles Pic is behind him in the deep Marussia.

His only 0.5 of a second behind. There's a wonderful battle between

those teams tried to get the tenth place in the Constructors'

Championship. We are hearing conflicting information from the

drivers. Rosberg has been told to expect the rain to end shortly.

Vettel is being told that more rain is coming. We will just have to be

patient and watch. They put spotters upwind to enable them to

try to feed some information back. One of the shots we saw previously

showed the real lights on Massa's car flashing. That can be activated

by the driver and when they come in for intermediate or wet tyres, they

have to change a setting on the steering wheel. The circumference

of the wet tyre is greater. So, to reset the electronic systems the

car needs to know it is using a different tyre. Normally that

automatically puts on the rear light. Clearly, Ferrari has an

override system and he's choosing to flash his little red light at

the cars behind him. Look at that, Kobayashi's car. Clear damage and

some pick-up on the outer part of the tyre. These are not of double

conditions. You can see the rain fall. Gary, comment on not just the

weather that you are seeing now, but the tyre wear that we were

watching on Kobayashi's car? We saw on Friday and Saturday that the

tyres are working pretty hard. It's an aggressive surface. The lap

times for the last couple of laps... A sorry, Petrova has done. That is

important, he's lost a place to Rosberg and he will have lost their

place to Charles Pic in their Marussia. This is how it happened.

Over the rise, he just went over the white line as they went into

turn 8. Normally, on modern circuits, it is a particular type

of FIA approved paint, that has gripped in it to feel like

sandpaper. There is no indication that they had actually painted them

with that. The message is to keep off the white lines. The times have

dropped away. You can see the vortices coming off the rear wing,

indicating that there is more rain in the air. The lap times are

1:19.44 Hulkenberg, 1:19.54 Lewis Hamilton. They are all trying to

push it so that they have one more stop if it stays dry. Vettel is

definitely slower than Alonso. But he is caught up behind the Sauber

of Kobayashi. He's quite comfortable at this moment in time

to secure his third world title. There is no need for him to try to