KEEPS F1 TITLE RACE ALIVE
Hamilton holds off Rosberg in chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
THE Formula One world championship will go down to the last race of the season after Lewis Hamilton won a chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix from title rival Nico Rosberg yesterday.
Abu Dhabi in a fortnight will be the scene for the title showdown between the Mercedes teammates after reigning champion Hamilton survived a race that was repeatedly disrupted by heavy rain and crashes.
Rosberg now needs a podium finish in the final event on November 27 to seal his first title triumph.
“I was just chilling up front. When it rains, it is usually a good day for me. Today was tricky for everyone,” Briton Hamilton said, after denying Rosberg the win the German needed to lift the title.
The three-time world champion showed all his tenacity and skill with a near-flawless drive in treacherous conditions.
Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, though, produced arguably the most stunning performance of the day – if not the season – when he recovered from falling back to 16th after a late tyre change to claim third place with a series of daring passes in the final laps.
It was Hamilton’s first win in Brazil at the 10th attempt and completed a hat-trick of recent wins, following his triumphs in the United States and Mexico last month.
In the process, the Briton also ended Rosberg’s hopes of a hat-trick of Brazilian wins after the German had won from pole in 2014 and 2015.
The three-hour race featured two red-flag stoppages, three major high-speed crashes and much high emotion.
Meanwhile, a tearful Felipe Massa received a guard of honour after he crashed out of his home grand prix in his final appearance at Interlagos before retirement.
The 35-year-old Brazilian lost control of his Williams and crashed into the barriers just ahead of the pit lane after 49 laps.
Massa draped a Brazil flag over his shoulders as he walked back to the Williams garage earning warm applause and embraces from watching pit crews, including former team Ferrari.
He was greeted there by his wife and young son. Massa’s last race will be at Abu Dhabi on November 27.
Results:
1 Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes-AMG) 3hr 01min 01.335sec, 2 Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes-AMG) at 11.455, 3 Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) at 21.481, 4 Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) at 25.346, 5 Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 26.334, 6 Carlos Sainz jnr (ESP/Toro Rosso) at 29.160, 7 Nico Hulkenberg
When it rains, it is usually a good day for me. Today was tricky for everyone
(GER/Force India) at 29.827, 8 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) at 30.486, 9 Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber) at 42.620, 10 Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) at 44.432, 11 Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) at 45.292, 12 Esteban Ocon (FRA/Manor) at 45.809, 13 Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) at 51.192, 14 Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) at 51.555, 15 Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor) at 1:00.498, 16 Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Honda) at 1:21.994