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Grand Prix Preview (courtesy: The FIA) - For team previews visit the 2009 F1 Team Reports Forum

The penultimate round of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship takes place at the José Carlos Pace Circuit in Interlagos, Brazil. Located on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, the circuit is situated between two large reservoirs. The track is constructed on a terrain featuring several gradient changes and a mix of corners. It runs in an anti-clockwise direction which will subject drivers’ necks to the opposite loadings experienced at a normal clockwise track.

The circuit features 15 corners, 10 left and 5 right, combining slow hairpins with long straights where a good top speed and low levels of downforce will be needed. The notoriously bumpy circuit will test drivers’ endurance and will require good mechanical balance for driveability. Drivers and teams will need to ensure vehicle durability in order to achieve optimal aerodynamic efficiency around the lap.

Vehicle engines will be tested on the long straights which will demand extensive periods at full throttle and high revs. The circuit is light on brakes and offers good overtaking opportunities particularly at turns one and four. Heat, humidity, driver concentration and vehicle durability will be key factors for teams to consider in preparation for the Grand Prix.



CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2008

- The ‘grasscrete’ paving behind the kerb on the exit of turn 4 has been replaced with a two metre wide strip of artificial grass.

- The concrete drains behind the kerbs on the exit of turns 3, 7 and 11 have been renewed.

- The wall around the outside of turn 14 has been moved closer to and aligned parallel with the track.

- The thickness of the tyre barrier around the pit entry wall has been increased by two rows and tube inserts fitted.

- A debris fence has been fitted to the wall on the driver’s left between marshal post 18 and the pit entry.

AUTÓDROMO JOSÉ CARLOS PACE – INTERESTING FACTS

- Although often still referred to by its original name, Interlagos, the track was renamed as the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, after the Brazilian Formula One driver who died in 1977.

- Interlagos is the region the track is situated in, the name deriving from the fact that it is located between two large reservoirs, originally built to supply water and electric power to the city.

- The circuit features a long pit lane starting just before the start-finish straight and rejoining the main track after Curva do Sol (Sun Turn).

- The track is known for its slow and difficult turns: Ferradura (Horseshoe), Laranjinha (Orange Turn), Pinheirinho (Small Pine Tree), Bico de Pato (Duck Bill) and Junção (Junction).

CIRCUIT DATA

Length of lap: 4.309km
Offset: 0.030km
Total number of race laps: 71
Total race distance: 305.909km
Speed limits in the pit lane: 60km/h during practice sessions;
100km/h during qualifying and race


FORMULA ONE TIME TABLE

Friday
Practice Session 1: 10.00 - 11.30 hrs
Practice Session 2: 14.00 - 15.30 hrs

Saturday
Practice Session 3: 11.00 - 12.00 hrs
Qualifying: 14.00 - 15.00 hrs

Sunday
Race: 14.00 hrs

We will be covering all the practice sessions, qualifying and the race from Brazil.

You can follow our coverage live here and we will post the coverage notes after each session here

First Friday practice coverage notes:

10:00 First Friday practice session from Brazil about to start. Follow our coverage here on NewsOnF1.com

11:00 Session underway and the cars stream out of the pitlane for their installation lap

11:04 Air temperature is 19 degrees while track temperature is 21 degrees. There are dark clouds near the circuit

11:05 All the cars have completed their installation laps except for Barrichello #F1

11:06 Button is back on the track!

11:08 The Brawn car is carrying more sponsorship this weekend than it ever did!

11:08 Button pits without setting a time! Barrichello on the track as is Alguersuari

10:10 Alguersuari sets a 1:24.099. The frst timed lap of the day!

10:13 Buemi sets a 1:16.244

10:16 Buemi improves with a 1:14.689. Alguersuari sets a 1:16.666
Raikkonen on track

10:18 Raikkonen sets a 1:15.836

10:19 Raikkonen improves into second with a 1:14.662

10:22 Raikkonen now fastest with a 1:14.021

10:24 15cars are on the track as light rain starts to fall on the track

10:25 Webber goes fastest with a 1:13.951

10:26 And now it is Hamilton who goes fastest with a 1:13.631

10:31 30 minutes into the session and the order is: Hamilton, Webber, Button, Barrichello, Vettel, Sutil, Rosberg, Kubica, Raikkonen and Trulli

10:33 Barrichello goes fastest with a 1:13.121

10:37 Vettel goes fastest with a 1:12.932!

10:38 It is now raining and everyone goes into the pits! Looks like end of dry running this session!

10:41 40 minutes into session and the top 10 are: Vettel, Barrichello, Hamilton, Webber, Button, Buemi, Trulli, Sutil, Rosberg & Alonso

10:42 No one on the track at this stage due to the rain

10:44 Just over a second separates the top 13 as we approach the halfway mark of this practice session

10:45 Alguersuari is back on the track

10:47 Alguersuari returns to the pits

11:51 No action on the track at this stage

10:55 Kovalainen who is dow in 19th is back on track. The track is drying

10:56 Kovalainen improves to 14th as more cars emerge from the pits

10:58 Grosjean smashes into an ad on the side of the track. Session stopped!!

11:00 There is a lot of foam on the track as a result and that is the reason the session is stopped. Marshals are cleaning the track now

11:01 Grosjean is currently in 20th and nearly 5 seconds off the pace

11:02 Session remains stopped as the debris is cleared

11:04 The board Grosjean hit is a braking marker from one side and an ad from the other side. Kobayashi avoided it ealier in the session!

11:05 Session restarting in 2 minutes

11:06 Session restarts and a few cars go out straight away

11:08 15 cars are on the track

11:13 Hamilton improves into second while Rosberg jumps into fourth

11:14 Now Nakajima moves into 3rd!

11:15 Webber goes fastest with a 1:12.805.

11:15 Barrichello spins but recovers!

11:17 Buemi hits the barriers!

11:17 The right rear of his car is damaged but he is ok

11:20 Replay shows Buemi spins and hits the barriers as he avoids a slow going Sutil

11:21 Alonso locks up at the end of the straight and cuts the turn but manages to recover

12:26 Final 5 minutes of the session and the 2 Red Bulls are topping the time sheets!

12:27 Webber flying! A 1:12.463. Barrichello goes second

12:31 Session over! Awaiting final flying laps

12:34 Top 10: Webber, Barrichello, Vettel, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Nakajima, Button, Rosberg, Sutl & Raikkonen

12:37 11th - 20th: Trulli, Heidfeld, Buemi, Kubica, Fisichella, Alonso, Liuzzi, Kobayashi, Alguersuari & Grosjean

12:38 Most laps by Alguersuari with 38 laps. Least laps by Nakajima with 21 laps

11:41 Webber's time is 0.411 quicker than 2nd placed Barrichello. Less than 0.5 seconds separates Barrichello and Trulli in 11th

1st Friday Practice - Top 10
1. Webber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.463
2. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.874
3. Vettel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.932
4. Kovalainen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:12.989
5. Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:13.048
6. Nakajima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:13.067
7. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:13.141
8. Rosberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:13.147
9. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:13.232
10. Raikkonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:13.321

WOOOHOOOOO.................TY, ED!!!!!

Second Friday practice coverage notes:

2:00 Second Friday practice session underway. Follow our coverage here on NewsOnF1.com

2:01 Many cars are already out on the track!

2:03 Kobayashi is currently the fastest on the track with a 1:14.516

2:06 Webber now quickest with a 1:13.603

2:07 Vettel now fastest with a 1:12.923

2:08 Buemi up into second with a 1:13.279

2:08 All the drivers have set times already except for the 2 Renault cars

2:10 Buemi now quickest with a 1:12.796!

3:12 10 minutes into the session and the top 10 are Buemi, Vettel, Kovalainen, Sutil, Hamilton, Button, Trulli, Barrichello, Webber & Liuzzi

2:15 Button moves up into 4th with a 1:13.091

2:16 Alonso is now on the track. Grosjean went out for just 1 lap!

2:18 Alguersuari up into 7th position with a 1:13.145

2:19 Trulli up into 3rd with a1:13.016

2:20 Alonso also pits after 1 lap! Just like Grosjean!

2:22 Vettel improves to within 0.004 seconds off Buemi

2:24 Button goes quckest with a 1:12.696!

2:26 Button, Buemi and Vettel are separated by 0.018 seconds!

2:28 Webber goes fastest with a 1:12.604!

2:28 Button goes fastest again with a 1:12.523!

3:35 For reference the pole time last year was a 1:12.368 while the fastest lap time of the race was a 1:13.736

3:46 Buemi goes fastest with a 1:12.357

3:47 It is impressive to see Buemi consistently setting quick times here!

2:52 50 minutes into the session and Buemi is quickest ahead of Button, Webber, Trulli, Vettel, Sutil and Kubica

2:53 Renault appear to be struggling here. Alonso is in 18th and Grosjean is 20th!

3:03 The entire field is currenlty separated by 1.186 seconds!

3:09 Fisichella has stopped at the end of the pitlane with a technical problem

3:20 Not much change in the order with 10 minutes to go. Buemi is quickest ahead of Button and Webber

3:25 Nearly all the drivers are on the track with just 5 minutes to go

3:27 All the cars on the track now (except for Fisichella who has stopped)

3:28 Alonso goes fastest with a 1:12.314!

3:29 The entire field (except Fisichella) is now separated by just 0.727!

3:31 Session over!

3:34 The Renaults appeared to be struggling here so Alonso's time could be on a light fuel load

3:36 Top 10: Alonso, Buemi, Barrichello, Webber, Button, Trulli, Vettel, Rosberg, Sutil and Hamilton

3:43 11th to 20th: Grosjean, Kubica, Kobayashi, Nakajima, Heidfeld, Liuzzi, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Alguersuari & Fisichella

3:48 Most laps by Buemi, Button & Vettel (45 laps each). Least laps by Alonso & Grosejan (27 laps each)

3:51 This has to be one of the closest practice sessions ever! Just 0.727 seconds separates the top 19. Fisichella is only 0.961 seconds off the pace despite stopping with more than 20 minutes remaining!

2nd Priday Practice - Top 10

1. Alonso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.314
2. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.357
3. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.459
4. Webber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.514
5. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.523
6. Trulli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.605
7. Vettel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.611
8. Rosberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12.633
9. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 1:12.720
10. Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 1:12.749

Saturday practice commentary:

11:00 There is heavy rain and poor visibility at the track and therefore the start of Saturday practice has been delayed

11:08 Rain continues to fall at Interlagos and the session has yet to start.

11:09 [Comment From Guest ]
Is it just a thunderstorm and will blow over in 10 min, or is this a large front?

11:10 It is heavy rain. It is debatable whether the session will actually go ahead

11:17 No change in the conditions. It is raining heavily on the track

11:42 Session is starting!

11:43 The session will run for 18 minutes

11:43 Drivers are heading out onto the track.

11:45 A few drives have pitted after one lap (installation) while some others are staying out

11:46 Rosberg is fastest with a 1:30.483, Kovalainen in second

11:47 Hamilton moves into second with a 1:30.772

11:47 Kovalainen improves with a 1:27.487 but Rosberg betters that with a 1:26.712

11:50 Nakajima moves into 3rd with a 1:26.575

11:50 Rosberg improves in 1st with a 1:24.169
11:54 Roberg improves again with a 1:23.396. Nakajima is second and Button in third

11:59 Red flag!
12:00 Session has stopped as Grosjean went off and crashed into the barriers.
He is ok
12:00 The session is over!

Brazilian Grand Prix - Saturday Practice Top 10

1. Rosberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23.182
2. Nakajima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23.832
3. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.122
4. Alonso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.125
5. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.149
6. Grosjean . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1:24.389
7. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1:24.443
8. Trulli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.859
9. Heidfeld . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1:24.867
10. Webber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:25.440

In what was probably the longest qualifying session on record, Rubens Barrichello takes Pole position from Mark Webber and Adrian Sutil after numerous red flags and delays due to the poor weather conditions.

Here is the qualifying commentary:

1:56 Qualifying coverage from NewsOnF1.com of the Brazilian Grand Prix

1:56 It is raining heavily at Interlagos

1:59 The practice session this morning was delayed due the rain and was run for only 18 minutes. The rain isn't as heavy as earlier this morning but there is a lot of water on the track

2:00 Qualifying session is underway

2:01 A number of cars are already on the track

2:03 The cars are driving very carefully! This morning Grosjean went off in the wet

2:04 A 1:39.694 for Vettel!

2:04 Fisichella stops the session!

2:05 Fisichella has spun and stalled his car. Session should restart shortly

2:08 7 drivers set lap times before the session was stopeed. The order is Vettel, Fisichella, Alguersuari, Rosberg, Grosjean, Nakajima, Buemi

2:11 Session remains stopped despite clearing Fisichella's car

2:12 Race control: Session will not restart until conditions improve

2:14 Fisichella describing the conditions as "impossible to drive"

2:16 Medical car doing a few laps on the track

2:17 Session restarting in 1 minute

2:18 Session restarts and all the drivers will go out

2:19 All the drivers are back on the track (except Fisichella of course)

2:20 The track condition is improving

2:21 A 1:27.473 for Hamilton

2:21 Barrichello in second

2:22 Rosberg in 3rd and is about to go fastest!

2:23 Rosberg goes fastest with a 1:24.356! Barrichello in second and Alonso in 3rd

2:24 10 minutes remaining in the session

2:24 Nakajima goes fastest with a 1:24.154. Raikkonen in second!

2:25 The order keeps changing

2:25 Rosberg fastest again with a 1:22.828!

2:25 [Comment From Husrin ]
A pole for williams would be nice.

2:26 McLaren tell Hamilton that more rain is forecast

2:27 7 minutes remain in Q1 and the order is: Rosberg, Nakajima, Raikkonen, Kubica, Barrichello, Sutil, Liuzzi, Buemi

2:29 Sutil and Heidfeld go side by side!

2:29 [Comment From Husrin ]
How about button? [Ed] 6th at this stage

2:30 Under 4 minutes remaining

2:31 Hamilton spins!

2:31 He recovers but he is in 18th

2:32 [Comment From Duncan ]
Am in Sao Paulo and the rain has started again

2:32 Looks like the conditions are not improving!

2:33 In the drop zone is Vettel, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Heidfeld

2:33 [Comment From Husrin ]
hi duncan!

2:34 Session over!

2:34 Knocked out: Vettel, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Hedifeld and Fisichella!

2:34 [Comment From Husrin ]
man vettel out?

2:36 [Comment From Duncan ]
Good for Button Vettel out !!!!

2:37 Top 10 after the 1st qualifying session: Rosberg, Raikkonen, Kubica, Nakajima, Barrichello, Button, Kobayashi, Grosjean, Sutil, Buemi

2:38 [Comment From Husrin ]
sad case! well good season for him. maybe he might work a miracle from the back..

2:38 Q2 starting in 3 minutes but it is still raining!

2:40 Q2 will be delayed until conditions improve

2:43 The teams are taking guesses on how the weather will turn out tomorrow, Vettel was on a dry setup and if conditions are dry tomorrow then he will benefit from that even though he is starting from 16th. Still not the best place to start a race from.
Expect more suprises in Q2!

2:44 [Comment From Husrin ]
woooo!

2:48 Replay shows Vettel throwing his steering wheel out of the car as he arrived back at the pits

2:49 [Comment From Husrin ]
ouch.

2:51 No news yet on when the 2nd qualifying session will start

2:52 [Comment From Duncan ]
The rain is getting worse !

2:56 Q2 to start in 2 minutes!

2:57 BMW team tells Kubica that rain will decrease but won't stop

2:57 Q2 underway!

2:58 All the drivers are on the track!

2:58 [Comment From Husrin ]
go button!

2:59 Luizzi crashes!! Red flag

3:00 Liuzzi gets out of his car!

3:01 No times were set!

3:03 Luizzi was on the main straight when he lost it!

3:04 Session remains stopped!

3:08 Looks like conditions are improving!

3:15 Session restart will be delayed again!

3:31 The track conditions are being reviewed

3:34 Conditions are not improving and the next inspection will take place in 11 minutes!

3:35 [Comment From Husrin ]
this seems bad.

3:43 The medical car is back on the track but the conditions haven't improved

3:46 [Comment From Duncan ]
Rain now light and the sky is brightening in Sao Paulo [Ed] That is good news then

3:48 Next inspection will take place in 12 minutes!

3:55 Track inspection in 5 minutes

3:57 [Comment From Duncan ]
The sun is now shining but still light rain

4:00 The track is being inspected now. The rain has eased

4:03 Q2 will restart in 7 minutes!

4:04 This will have to be the longest qualifying session on record!

4:09 Session restarting in 2 minutes. Just over 12 minutes remain in the session

4:09 [Comment From Husrin ]
that i have to say!

4:10 Session restarts!

4:11 Plenty of water at the moment but it should clear soon

4:12 [Comment From Husrin ]
all using wet tyres? [Ed] For sure

4:13 A 1:21.815 for Rosberg

4:13 Webber in second, Nakajima in third

4:14 Alonso has yet to go out!

4:15 Raikkonen now quickest with a 1:21.378

4:15 Kobayahsi goes off but recovers

4:16 Rosberg pits and goes for intermediates!

4:17 With 5 minutes remaining, it is Raikkonen from Rosberg and Barrichello

4:17 Webber goes quickest with a 1:21.185

4:18 Rosberg is on intermediates but isn't as quick as Webber. Raikkonen pits for intermediates too!

4:19 3 minutes remains and it is Webber from Raikkonen and Rosberg. In danger are Buemi, Alguersuari, Button and Grosjean

4:21 Button is in real danger here! Just a minute so this flyer and 1 more

4:21 Barrichello is 6th

4:21 [Comment From Husrin ]
come on button!

4:22 Button doesn't improve! This is his last chance as the session is nearly over!

4:22 Rosberg goes quickest with Sutil now in second!

4:23 Button will not make it! His sector times are not quick!

4:24 Alonso makes it just in time while Barrichello drops to 10th and is in!
Button is 14th!

4:25 Knocked out from Q2: Kobaysahi, Alguersuari, Grosjean, Button and Luizzi

4:34 3rd qualifying session is underway

4:35 Conditions remain wet but it isn't raining

4:35 Buemi is quickest ahead of Trulli and Raikkonen

4:36 Barrichello goes fastest with a 1:21.167!

4:36 Now it is Kubica with a 1:20.655. Webber second

4:37 Trulli goes quickest with a 1:20.596 only for Rosberg to better that with a 1:20.492

4:37 3 minutes remains

4:38 Trulli and Barrichello on flyers!

4:38 Barrichello now quickest and Trulli in second!

4:39 [Comment From Husrin ]
thrilling stuff!

4:39 [Comment From roch ]
how wet is the track condition [Ed] Pretty wet!

4:39 Webber quickest with a 1:20.109!

4:40 WIth a minute left it is Webber from Barrichello and Rosberg

4:41 Webber improves again but Barrichello goes fastest with a 1:19.576!

4:41 They will go crazy in Brazil!

4:44 Rubens is celebrating! He is very happy! This is the result he wants

4:46 [Comment From roch ]
how was trulli [Ed] 4th

4:48 [Comment From sun ]
thanks for fast comments!! [Ed] You are welcome

4:51 [Comment From roch ]
excellent report, cant wait for race day

4:55 [Comment From san ]
Thanks, TSN shut the f1 qualifying session on my cable before the last break. Thanks for the update. Great job! [Ed] Many networks had to cut it short! Qualifying ran for more than 2 and a half hours!

Brazilian GP - 1st Qualifying session - Top 10

1. Robserg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 1:22.828
2. Raikkonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23.047
3. Kubica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23.072
4. Nakajima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:23.161
5. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.100
6. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.297
7. Kobayashi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 1:24.335
8. Grosjean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 1:24.394
9. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.447
10. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:24.591

Brazilian GP - 2nd Qualifying session - Top 10

1. Rosberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.368
2. Nakajima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.427
3. Trulli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.635
4. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.701
5. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.753
6. Webber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1:20.803
7. Kubica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:21.147
8. Raikkonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1:21.378
9. Alonso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:21.657
10. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:21.659

Brazilian GP - 3rd Qualifying session - Top 10

1. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:19.576
2. Webber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1:19.668
3. Sutil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:19.912
4. Trulli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.097
5. Raikkonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.168
6. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.250
7. Rosberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.326
8. Kubica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.631
9. Nakajima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20.674
10. Alonso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:21.422

Pre-race fuel weights for the Brazilian Grand Prix:

Number Car Driver Weight [kg]
1 Rubens Barrichello Brawn Mercedes 650.5
2 Mark Webber RBR Renault 656.0
3 Adrian Sutil Force India Mercedes 656.5
4 Jarno Trulli Toyota 658.5
5 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 651.5
6 Sébastien Buemi STR Ferrari 659.0
7 Nico Rosberg Williams Toyota 657.0
8 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 656.0
9 Kazuki Nakajima Williams Toyota 664.0
10 Fernando Alonso Renault 652.0
11 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 671.6
12 Jaime Alguersuari STR Ferrari 671.5
13 Romain Grosjean Renault 677.2
14 Jenson Button Brawn Mercedes 672.0
15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India Mercedes 680.0
16 Sebastian Vettel RBR Renault 683.5
17 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren Mercedes 656.5
18 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 661.0
19 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 650.5
20 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 683.5

Note: Liuzzi will start from the back of the grid due to a gearbox change

Race coverage and comments

1:00 Formation lap for the Brazilian GP underway. Conditions are dry

1:02 Air temperature is at 27 degrees while track temperature is at 33 degees

1:02 Barrichello who is on Pole arrives back to the starting grid. Webber starts alongside him.

1:03 Button is 14th and Vettel is 15th

1:03 Lights!

1:04 Barrichello leads!

1:04 Crash for Trulli as he and Sutil touch

1:04 Saefty car deployed

1:04 Raikkonen has lost his front wing

1:05 Alonso is out!

1:05 What drama!

1:08 More drama as Kovalainen drives off with the fuel hose stuck spraying fuel on the track and Raikkonen driving over the fuel igniting it

1:08 Alonso was taken out by Sutil bouncing back on the track

1:12 Retirements: Sutil, Trulli and Alonso

1:12 Race restarts

1:13 Kubica takes 3rd from Rosberg

1:14 Button moves into 8th after passing Grosjean

1:14 Vettel takes Grosjean

1:15 Button takes Nakajima for 7th

1:15 Some great racing after the safety car!

1:16 Barrichello leads Webber by 1.4 seconds

1:16 Vettel almost loses it as he tries to pass Nakajima!

1:17 Button in 7th chasing Kobayashi

1:18 Order on lap 8: Barrichello, Webber, Kubica, Rosberg, Buemi, Kobayashi, Button, Nakajima, Vettel and Heidfeld

1:19 [Comment From parco ]
where is hamilton? [Ed] 11th

1:19 Barrichello leads Webber by 1.8 seconds on lap 10

1:22 Things have settled down a bit. Both Button and Vettel are still chasing Kobayashi and Nakajima

1:26 Kovalainen is under investigation due to his incident in the pilane

1:26 Barrichello is the lightest of those in front. Vettel in 9th is heaviest

1:27 Barrichello fastest lap so far (lap 16) - A 1:14.293

1:28 Incident involving Sutil and Trulli to be investigated after the race

1:29 Another fastest lap by Barrichello. He leads by 2,5 seconds

1:30 Trulli very angry as he talks to the reporters

1:30 Sutil doesn't believe he made any errors

1:31 Nick Heidfeld is the first to pit!

1:32 Barrichello pits

1:34 Barrichello rejoins in 8th ahead of Vettel but Vettel passes him

1:35 Hamilton trying hard to pass Barrichello

1:37 Button tries to pass Kobayashi but goes a bit wide and Kobayashi gets the position back

1:38 Button manages to pass Kobayashi on lap 24

1:38 Webber pits from the lead

1:39 Now Button leads!

1:39 Webber remains in the lead. Button in second and yet to stop

1:40 Rosberg is going slow!

1:41 Rosberg pits and retires

1:41 A lot of smoke coming out of the back of his car

1:43 Jenson Button pits from second

1:43 So does Kovalainen

1:43 Button rejoins in 12th

1:44 In 10th - Apologies

1:44 Kobayashi pits

1:45 [Comment From Guest ]
so who is leading now [Ed] Webber

1:45 Big crash for Nakajima!

1:46 He went off and into the barriers. Doesn't look like a safety car will be deployed.

1:48 So on lap 32, Webber leads from Vettel and Kubica. Vettel yet to stop

1:48 [Comment From Guest ]
wat position barrichello now?
[Ed] 4th

1:49 There is plenty of debris on the track. Surprising that the safety car isn't deployed!

1:49 [Comment From Guest ]
Greetings from Singapore!

1:49 [Comment From maddy ]
any news on kimmy' [Ed] He is in 6th

1:50 [Comment From Guest ]
cud button stil win this? [Ed] Possible but difficult

1:50 [Comment From danny ]
have webber in pit yet? [Ed] Yes

1:51 Vettel and Fisichella have yet to stop

1:52 [Comment From danny ]
is barrichello will win ? [Ed] Really depends on how much fuel he has more than Webber and Kubica

1:53 Vettel pits

1:54 Vettel rejoins behind Button! He has yet to pit again as he hasn't taken the super soft tyres yet

1:54 [Comment From danny ]
how many laps is it all up? [Ed] 71 laps

1:56 Order on lap 39: Webber, Kubica, Barrichello, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Button, Vettel, Buemi, Liuzzi and Kobayahsi

1:57 Retirements: Nakajima, Rosberg, Heidfeld, Sutil, Trulli and Alonso

1:58 Webber leads Kubica on lap 40 by 6.3 seconds. Barrichello in 3rd is a further 6.3 seconds behind!

1:59 [Comment From JRLS ]
where did button start on the grid? [Ed] 14th. There was a lot of drama on the first lap!

1:59 [Comment From danny ]
how many times webber and barrichello in pit? [Ed] Once each

2:00 Hamilton pits and he is fuelled to the end!

2:00 Hamilton nearly loses it exiting the pits. He is in 9th now
Raikkonen pits

2:01 Raikkonen goes on the super softs

2:01 Raikkonen rejoins in 11th

2:03 [Comment From danny ]
how come webber in front of barrihello? i thought barrichello has a better ride? [Ed] Webber had more fuel at the start

2:04 [Comment From Marcus ]
How many drivers is out? [Ed] 6 drivers have retired so far

2:04 Kubica pits from second and puts on the super softs

2:05 Kubica rejoins in 3rd ahead of Button

2:05 [Comment From Jordan ]
has button taken a pit stop yet? [Ed] Yes but has to make another stop

2:06 Webber now leads Barrichello by 15.8 seconds! Both yet to stop

2:07 [Comment From sunny ]
whose fault was in the accident b/w sutil n trulli [Ed] It will be investigated by the stewards after the race

2:08 Kubica is in 3rd and had made all his stops and is 10.5 seconds behind Barrichello. He is looking good!

2:08 [Comment From danny ]
do you think webber got better chance to win than barichello? [Ed] Yes he is looking good. 16.7 seconds is the gap now

2:09 [Comment From wc ]
what's Kubica-Barichello difference in time [Ed] 10.5 seconds

2:09 Barrichello makes his second and final stop!

2:10 Barrichello rejoins in 6th behind Buemi

2:10 [Comment From Steve ]
How many laps left [Ed] 20 laps

2:11 [Comment From wc ]
Difference between hamilton and barichello? [Ed] Barrichello ahead by 1.8 seconds

2:11 Webber pits from the lead

2:12 Webber rejoins in the lead

2:13 Button and Vettel are in 3rd and 4th Both yet to stop

2:13 [Comment From robbie ]
any crashs [Ed] A few!

2:14 [Comment From Jordan ]
is that all of webber's pit stops done now? [Ed] Yes. Webber looks good for the win

2:15 Buemi pits from 5th

2:15 There are some dark clouds over the track. It could still rain!!

2:15 Button pits

2:16 [Comment From danny ]
i want barrichello to win, is he got the chance? [Ed] Unlikely at this stage

2:17 Button rejoins behind Kobayashi and Kovalainen

2:17 Vettel pits

2:18 Vettel rejoins ahead of Kovalainen!

2:18 [Comment From wc ]
Did kov overtake button. [Ed] Yes

2:19 So with 14 laps remaining, Webber leads Kubica by 5.2 seconds. Barrichello is a further 12.8 seconds behind

2:20 Vettel is in 5th, Button is in 7th and chasing Kovalainen

2:21 Kovalainen pits and releases Button

2:22 [Comment From noz ]
button position pls? [Ed] 6th

2:23 [Comment From noz ]
if positions saved till end will button get WDC? [Ed] Yes

2:24 Hamilton takes 3rd from Barrichello who is struggling with his tyres

2:24 [Comment From 1 ]
can barri move up??? [Ed] He is struggling now. Lost 3rd

2:24 [Comment From wc ]
so does this mean, if this continues, button wins championship tonight [Ed] Yes

2:24 [Comment From Jordan ]
anybody in the top 6 still to pit? [Ed] No

2:25 [Comment From noz ]
Do you believe Button drives better than hamilton under pressure? [Ed] Hard to tell really!

2:25 Barrichello has a puncture!

2:26 Button will be the World Champion as long as he finishes!

2:26 [Comment From kino ]
will hamilton have to pit again? [Ed] No

2:27 It appears that the puncture was a result of a touch earlier with Hamilton

2:28 [Comment From danny ]
wat position is barri now? [Ed]8th

2:29 [Comment From wc ]
laps remaining? [Ed]6

2:29 [Comment From Guest ]
gap between webber and kubica? [Ed]8.1 seconds

2:29 [Comment From 1 ]
so does this mean barrichello's run over for the championship [Ed] Yes

2:30 [Comment From kino ]
Does Hamilton get a penalty? [Ed]Unlikely

2:30 5 laps remain

2:31 Webber leads from Kubica and Hamilton. Vettel, Button, Raikkonen, Buemi and Barrichello

2:31 [Comment From wc ]
gap between 2nd and 3rd [Ed]13.7 seconds

2:32 [Comment From 1 ]
which team is kimi shifting to next yr [Ed]McLaren or Toyota or Red Bull! Many rumours

2:32 [Comment From 1 ]
which driver is better hamilton or kimi or massa???? [Ed] That is all an opinion really. They are all first class drivers

2:33 [Comment From cwhook ]
Button is very lucky....

2:33 [Comment From wc ]
its maclaren. [Ed](Raikkonen) ? Not confirmed

2:33 2 laps to go and Button is set to become the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion

2:34 [Comment From 1 ]
well brazilian gp is not good for their home driver's

2:35 [Comment From Guest ]
Congrats to button.....Lets not forget its a Honda Chassis

2:35 [Comment From 1 ]
this is where massa lost his championship last yr and now barri losses his dream for the championship this yr

2:35 Webber wins the race

2:36 Jenson Button is the 2009 World Champion

2:36 [Comment From noz ]
it was a close fight between teams through out the season IMO..

2:37 Brawn GP become the 2009 Formula 1 Constructors World Champions on debut

2:38 [Comment From wc ]
Special Thanks to ED [Ed] You are very welcome

2:38 [Comment From wc ]
MASSA's DOING THE FLAG WAVING. [Ed] Indeed. Great to see that

2:38 [Comment From wc ]
Many Thanks to ED again.

2:43 Rubens Barrichello congratulates his teammate on winning the championship

2:44 Webber of course wins his second race of the season

2:46 Good to see Kubica on the podium in the BMW Sauber. He is going to Renault next year

2:47 Hamilton started 18th and finished on the podium. Good job

2:47 [Comment From adrian ]
thank you!

Brazilian Grand Prix result

1. Webber
2. Kubica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +7.6
3. Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +18.9
4. Vettel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +19.6
5. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +29.0
6. Raikkonen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +33.3
7. Buemi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +35.9
8. Barrichello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +45.4
9. Kovalainen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +48.4
10. Kobayashi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. +63.3
11. Fisichella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. +70.6
12. Liuzzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +71.3
13. Grosjean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. +1 lap
14. Alguersuari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. +1 lap

Retirements:
Nakajima, Rosberg, Heidfeld, Sutil, Trulli, Alonso

Congratulations to Mark Webber on winning the Brazilian Grand Prix and to Jenson Button on winning the 2009 Formula One World Championship.
Congratulations also to Brawn GP on winning the 2009 Formula One Constructors Championship

A few incidents at the start and a safety car conditions helped those starting near the back. Button, Vettel and Hamilton all benefited when Trulli and Sutil touched and both went out and Sutil's car collecting Alonso's car as well!

The safety car that was deployed as a result helped keep the cars together and at the restart Button and Vettel made a number of brilliant overtaking moves.

At the front Barrichello was leading but not by a big margin over Mark Webber who was heavier and after the first stops Webber was leading comfortably with Kubica moving ahead of Barrichello!

The Drivers championship was looking likley to go down to the wire but Barrichello suffering from a puncture had to pit and rejoined in 8th.

Mark Webber wins his second race of the season, Kubica finishes in second and Hamilton who started in 17th finishes in 3rd.
Vettel started 15th and finished 4th while Button started 14th and finished 5th.
Button becomes the 2009 World Champion

Your thoughts and the driver of the day ?

Congratulations to Mark Webber for a fine race win, Robert Kubica for a remarkable P2 and to Lewis Hamilton for making the podium from 18th on the grid!

Well bloody done Jenson!

What a great drive and a fantastic season.


Dumb a#% move of the day has got to be Kobayashi on Nakajima, although there were quite a few to choose from. Trully's ranting at Sutil was a classic diversion from the second dumbest move of the day!

Quite an entertaining race all in all... worth watching again before I go to bed.