Just two races remain this season, if Nico Rosberg is to take the title it is surely a case of now or never. The world championship cannot be decided this weekend in Brazil however it is Nico Rosberg’s Last chance to reduce the gap heading into the double points finale in Abu Dhabi.
After Lewis Hamilton’s show of dominance last Sunday at the United States Grand Prix, Formula One heads to Interlagos for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The momentum between the two Mercedes teammates has ebbed and flowed all season long, however with five race wins on the bounce and a twenty-four point lead it really is advantage Hamilton as the 2014 season reaches its climax.
Even if Rosberg goes on to win the next two races, all Hamilton has to do is finish second in both Brazil and Abu Dhabi to clinch championship number two.
Interlagos has seen its fair share of dramatic moments over the years. Sebastian Vettel took his third championship there in 2012. After a first lap which left the German at the back of the pack Vettel recovered in the rain to finish sixth place and championship three of four.
Jenson Button also sealed his championship around the famous circuit in 2009, after a wet qualifying gave us a mixed up grid for Sunday’s race it was Button that recovered from fourteenth on the grid to make his way to fifth, that result was enough to win the championship by nine points.
Whilst Both Vettel and Button’s Brazilian memoirs are spectacular, you cannot mention the Brazilian Grand Prix without mentioning 2008.
In front of his home crowd, all Felipe Massa could do was win the race from pole position to claim the world title however even if the Brazilian was to win, Hamilton would have to finish no lower than fifth. I’ll let the video do the talking.
Williams look to be in with a good chance of a podium this weekend with the characteristics of the circuit playing into the hands of the team that currently occupy third in the constructors’ championship and looking comfortable, the team were unlucky not to have Felipe Massa on the podium last time out in Texas, the final podium position went to the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel.
This weekend will be one of the last times Fernando Alonso will be driving for Ferrari. Whilst it is yet to be confirmed the general consensus in the paddock is that a move to McLaren Honda is all but finalised, it seems as if Jenson Button won’t be around next season, at least in a McLaren.
Lotus will be looking to add to their points that they scored in Austin. Maldonado for the first time managed a top ten finish last weekend where as Romain Grosjean will be looking for a weekend where the car doesn’t break.
The Sauber pairing of Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil will be desperate for a good showing this weekend. Sauber announced this week that Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr will be driving for the team next season meaning that this year’s pairing will have to look elsewhere for a drive. Whilst options look to be limited, they could be thrown a lifeline as both Marussia and Caterham have announced that they plan on returning to F1, if that is to happen could be another story.
The Brazilian Grand this is just the next twist in this season’s epic encounter between the Mercedes pair, whilst neither driver has won around this circuit , for Nico Rosberg the clock really is ticking.
