13/11/2016
NEWS STORY
What's the Brazilian Grand Prix got in common with Brexit and the 2016 US Election you ask.
Well, like the pollsters in both Brexit and the recent election, UBIMET and the rest of the forecasters appear to have got the Interlagos weather spectacularly wrong.
To refresh your memory, UBIMET, the meteorologist to the FIA, said: "the probability for some rain throughout the day is quite high - light and intermittent in the morning hours, more frequent and possibly moderate in intensity during the afternoon hours due to an approaching weather system."
The reality is that it has rained throughout the night, for all of the morning and into the afternoon. And when we say "rain", we mean "rain".
Consequently all bets are off... all that went before doesn't matter.
Many years back, it was Spa 1993 if we recall, the back cover of the programme bore a picture of Ayton Senna. Sat in his McLaren the Brazilian legend appeared to be praying... above him were the words "please let it rain".
Eyeing a 19 point deficit to title rival Nico Rosberg, one can fully imagine Lewis Hamilton lying in bed last night, those words, that image running through his mind.
But while, Toto Wolff might believe that today is all about the title fight, there are twenty other drivers out there, each looking to take advantage of the situation.
A strong points finish might mean the difference between an F1 seat or a reserve driver role in 2017 for the likes of Esteban Gutierrez. It might mean Williams finishes ahead of Force India in the standings, thereby earning tens of millions extra.
A win might give Ferrari the boost it so very much needs, putting a smile on the face of Sebastian Vettel (or Kimi) and allowing Maurizio Arrivabene to head into the winter with a little more job security.
As well as snubbing Toto Wolff, a win for either of the Red Bull drivers would go down a treat, not only in terms of the in-team battle, but serving notice to Mercedes that come next year it will be a regular force to deal with.
So many times this year we have been led into a false sense of security promised that the weather gods would provide us with something special, this time it really does appear that we're finally going to get a classic.
While Hamilton has to win, Rosberg doesn't consequently there is no need for anything silly when they head into the infamous first couple of corners - or beyond that - he'll want to win but he doesn't have to win. On the other hand, if Hamilton - or anyone else - can force him into a mistake...
That said, in view of some of the negativity surrounding his season - almost all of it totally unjustified - Rosberg will not want to win the title by default, as we saw in Q3 yesterday, he is still up for the fight.
However, while the title can be won here, it can also be lost.
The pitlane opens and one of the first out is Hamilton. While yesterday morning's session was damp, this is properly wet and the drivers have had little real preparation.
More and more drivers head out, all sporting the full wets. Air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 20 degrees.
And with 24 minutes before the start of the race, Grosjean's day appears to be over before it has properly begun. The Frenchman, who was so impressive in qualifying yesterday, has gone off coming out of T13 and into the barrier ripping off the left-front wheel. He lost the car under acceleration, losing control as he crossed one of the numerous tiny litter rivers that appear in such conditions here.
The incident is an early wake-up call for his rivals.
Having been given a ride in the Safety Car back to the pits, Grosjean is still wearing his helmet. Read into that what you will.
Understandably, the drivers prefer to complete as many laps as possible rather than take their place on the grid. An early arrival is Massa - making his final appearance here before retiring at the end of the season - he makes a point of giving Bernie Ecclestone a hug and a kiss.
And just to let you know, Race control advises that the risk of rain is 100%.
Bottas has warned of aquaplaning at T13 and T14, while Verstappen says he would prefer to start behind the Safety Car.
While the national anthem of Brazil brings back happy memories of sunny afternoons watching Ayrton Senna on the podium, today that all seems a million soggy years away, though the legend would have revelled in these conditions.
Ten minutes before the scheduled start, the start is delayed by ten minutes.
There is still no definitive decision on whether it will be a standing start or behind the Safety Car, though the delay suggests Charlie whiting might opt for the former.
At 14:00, Race Control announces that the race will get underway behind the Safety Car.
Rosberg asks about brake balance on "the other car", a nod to Hamilton's wet-weather prowess.
Hulkenberg is advised that there is likely to be ten more minutes of these conditions, then half-an-hour of lighter rain then a return to heavy rain.
"Cinturato blue on every car," tweets Pirelli, "these evacuate 65 litres of water per second at 300kph."
Rosberg is told to watch the kerbs for "stored water", particularly Turns 2 and 3.
They're away... behind the AMG Mercedes Safety Car.
Hamilton says he cannot see much behind the Safety Car and asks for permission to fall back.
Imagine the irony if he collided with it.
"There is a lot of water on the straights," warns Vettel, "even between Turns 3 and 4 which wasn't there earlier."
Hamilton slows down and the concertina-effect almost catches out Ricciardo.
"The exit of the last corner is the worst part of the track conditions-wise, says Ricciardo. "It's worse than the lap to the grid."
"A lot of standing water everywhere," warns Button, "but the corners that really matter are Turn 5 and the final corner, obviously they're blind."
Sainz and Ricciardo both believe that we are close to the point where the race can get underway.
As the Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 7, Hamilton warns that his visor is leaking rainwater and he needs it blocked at his pit stop.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
They're finally away, and Verstappen nails Raikkonen on the run to T1. Magnussen pits, switching to Inters.
In no time at all Hamilton has a 2s lead while Verstappen is all over Rosberg.
"Let me know anything that will get me out of this spray," says Ricciardo. "I'm not even flat down the straight because of visibility."
Next time around Button pits for Inters.
Alonso, Bottas, Massa, Kvyat, Palmer and Ericsson all pit at the end of lap 9, all switching to Inters.
Told about the drivers on Inters, Rosberg insists it is "way too early".
Vettel spins across the track at T13 on to the grass and back, for a few terrifying moments he is stranded facing the oncoming traffic. He subsequently pits but there's an issue with the wheel gun. He rejoins in 19th.
None of the runners on Inters are anywhere near the times being posted by Hamilton who is setting a blistering pace out front.
Massa and Gutierrez are under investigation for overtaking before the Safety Car line.
Ericsson is the second casualty of the day, he hits the barriers after aquaplaning coming up the hill. To make matters worse his car comes to rest at the pitlane entry.
The Safety Car is deployed and the pitlane is closed but Verstappen and Ricciardo both pit.
"Game over, I aquaplaned," admits Ericsson.
As Ericsson's car is pulled to safety, and debris retrieved from the track, Hamilton leads Rosberg, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Sainz, Nasr, Ricciardo and Ocon.
Hamilton asks if Ericsson was on Inters, told he was, the Briton insists that there is "still too much standing water".
Rosberg is told that more rain is expected in ten minutes, not what those who have switched to Inters will want to hear.
Behind the Safety Car, Perez spins in the final corner, getting passed by Alonso in the process.
Asked if he thinks it is too wet for Inters, Magnussen replies: "I think it is too wet period". The Dane was the first to switch to Inters.
With Ericsson's car now removed, the pitlane is open. Nonetheless, there remains a lot of debris on the track.
Ricciardo is under investigation for entering the pitlane while it was closed.
At the end of lap 17, Palmer pits and switches back to full wets.
Asked about the conditions, Hamilton replies: "No different".
Heated debate on the pit-wall between Jock clear and Maurizio Arrivabene.
The Safety Car pulls off (again) at the end of lap 19.
As the Safety Car pulls off, Raikkonen loses the car on the pit straight, spins and hits the wall. Like his teammate, for a few very scary moments he is stranded facing the oncoming traffic. Ocon, in particular, does a magnificent job of avoiding the stricken Ferrari.
"******* hell! That was one millimetre close!" admits the French youngster.
Out comes the Safety Car... just seconds after being withdrawn, only for the marshals to then produce the red flag.
Back in the pits Raikkonen walks straight through the garage, the Finn is clearly not in the mood for talking.
Vettel calls for the race to be stopped, warning that he nearly crashed into his teammate.
"This is just bad, honestly," says the German. "I nearly crashed into Kimi in the middle of the straight! Couldn't see anything!"
After 20 laps, the remaining 19 drivers head back to the pitlane where gazebos are erected and some opt for 'comfort breaks'.
It remains: Hamilton, Rosberg, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Sainz, Nasr, Ricciardo, Ocon, Wehrlein, Alonso, Bottas, Magnussen, Button, Vettel, Massa, Gutierrez, Kvyat and Palmer.
A small piece of Raikkonen's front wing has mated with the front wing on Hulkenberg's car. The team asks for permission to change the wing.
Despite everything - not least being third in the standings and facing a win-less season - Ferrari crew members run to Raikkonen's car to cover it from prying eyes.
As Massa is given a 5s time penalty for overtaking Gutierrez before the Safety Car line, replay shows that Verstappen was very, very close to losing it just after Raikkonen's spin.
Ricciardo is also handed a 5s time penalty for entering the pitlane while the entry was closed.
At 15:11, Race Control announces that the race will resume as 15:21. All drivers must have extreme wets fitted.
The rain, which had just begun to ease, now increases in intensity.
"Bad news for Jo," tweets Renault, "an incident at the same time as Kimi's wall hugging has caused some damage. We're checking it out. It was a touch with Kvyat that caused the damage. We're still working on the car. Today of all days, you never know."
The field heads out again behind the Safety Car. Palmer is not one of those behind the Safety Car, his day's work seemingly at an end.
"Visibility is very, very poor," warns Ocon, "more than when we stopped."
Perez is told that fifty minutes of heavy rain is coming.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
"Still quite bad, big issues up the hill," warns Vettel while countryman Hulkenberg pits. He rejoins in 15th having suffered a right-rear puncture.
Told about the puncture and the need to pit, Hulkenberg, who was fourth, replies: "Really, Jesus!"
Verstappen is told of an "increase in rain intensity in twenty minutes".
"All the drivers have a fresh set of wet tyres," tweets Pirelli. "If it stays wet, they can probably go to the end on this set."
Verstappen almost overtakes Rosberg behind the Safety Car, he hits the brakes and is almost collected by Perez.
Meanwhile replay shows the Kvyat/Palmer clash, the Briton hitting the Russian just before the Raikkonen red flag.
As Vettel says it is "worse than ever", Hamilton declares "we should be going, Charlie".
"I think we can definitely race now," urges Verstappen, as sections of the crowd start booing.
Indeed, as the camera picks up on the masses of fans giving the thumbs down, the race is red flagged again.
"The track is fine," argues Hamilton when told of the red flag. "It's undriveable," insists Nasr.
"This is very, very, very difficult right now," adds Sainz. "Conditions are much better than before," says Verstappen.
Hamilton seeks sanctuary in the Haas garage where he is greeted by Guenther Steiner.
At 15:51, Race Control announces that the race will resume at 16:02.
Hulkenberg is told the rain will continue at current intensity possibly heavier for another fifty minutes. He is advised the race might not go the distance.
"Counting down to the Restart in 2 mins," tweets Manor. "For the avoidance of doubt, we'd love that double points finish. But there's a NAS to think about!"
That 'NAS' refers to Nasr who is currently up to 6th and looking at the prospect of some serious points for Sauber, their first of the year.
Bang on time, the field heads off for a third start behind the Safety Cars... full wets all round.
"The track is no different," sighs Hamilton. "We can race," adds Verstappen.
Sure enough, the Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 31.
Again, Verstappen almost overtakes Rosberg.
They're away, and though he fails to nail, Rosberg into T1 he does the job on the following straight getting a great exit from T3. "Get in there Maxie!" says Christian Horner.
A lap later Ricciardo nails Sainz in T3 to take 5th.
Alonso passes Wehrlein to take ninth as Vettel closes on the German. He passes the Manor under braking in T1.
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (25.995) as he closes to within 1.36s of Hamilton having built a 4.6s lead over Rosberg.
Button pits at the end of lap 34, switching to Inters, Massa having pitted a lap earlier.
Great moves by Bottas on Wehrlein and Hulkenberg on Magnussen in T1 and at the same time. Hulkenberg subsequently passes Wehrlein also.
Hamilton goes quickest (25.693) as Vettel passes Ocon to take 9th and Bottas also closes in on the French youngster.
"I just can't get the tyres working," complains Button.
Moments ago he was in the points, but now Wehrlein is in 14th, the German passed by Magnussen and with Gutierrez in hot pursuit.
Woah! A big moment for Verstappen but he somehow holds it all together. However, he loses ground to Rosberg.
Replay shows he touched a white line on the inside of the track at the top of the hill, did a half-spin but somehow kept going without hitting anything. A brilliant save.
"Well held Max, well held," the youngster is told. "Yes, heartbeat went a bit higher there," he admits.
At the end of lap 40 Ricciardo pits. He switches to Inters, rejoining in 11th.
As Button's times suggest the Inters are now the tyres to be on, Perez is told that heavier rain is expected in five minutes.
Magnussen pits at the end of lap 41, he too switches to Inters.
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (25.681) as Vettel makes a superb move on Alonso in T10. The Spaniard fights back as the two maestros battle for 7th, the McLaren running wide in T11.
"The Ferrari pushed me off the track," says Alonso.
A new fastest lap from Ricciardo (25.532).
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 43, the youngster also switching to Inters. He rejoins in 5th.
"He pushed me off the track," says Ocon of Hulkenberg as the German goes 9th.
As Vettel makes another bold move, this time on Nasr, Button asks to switch to full wets. The Briton is told that the best times are on Inters. "I don't care, I can't drive out of the final corner!" says the McLaren driver who subsequently pits.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
Telling his team that he feels it is raining more, Hamilton is warned that Rosberg had a half-spin, the German having had what can only be termed a championship defining moment.
"Something is really wrong," urges Gutierrez.
Disaster for Massa in his final Brazilian Grand Prix, he has crashed at the top of the hill, a repeat of Magnussen's earlier incident.
The pitlane is closed and the Safety Car deployed.
As the Brazilian climbs from his car, removes his helmet and waves to the crowd, it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Perez, Sainz, Verstappen, Vettel, Nasr, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Ocon, Kvyat, Bottas, Wehrlein, Magnussen, Gutierrez and Button.
The closing of the pitlane - due to where Massa crashed - is a disaster for Mercedes which, under normal circumstances, would have pitted its drivers.
"I had a bit of aquaplane mode just now," reveals Hamilton. "These tyres are getting low."
"Seriously, the car is just not working guys," says Button. "I've not suddenly forgotten how to drive in the wet."
"This is good for the fronts," says Hulkenberg, "it gives them a little breather."
Massa, draped in his country's flag, walks back to the pits. The crowd cheers and waves, a few marshals cry. Mercedes forms a guard of honour, as the little Brazilian is greeted by his wife.
Ferrari too comes out to salute its former winner - and so nearly world champion - who is hugged by his Dad.
"Lapped cars may now overtake," says Race Control.
Ricciardo pits for full wets, conditions clearly worsening. Wehrlein follows suit.
"More water than last time round," warns Rosberg. "How many more crashes do they want to see?" Meanwhile, teammate Hamilton complains the Safety Car is too slow.
"It's like a boat in the final corner," says Verstappen. "Do you want to pit for full wets," he is asked. "We are just waiting for a crash," he replies. He subsequently pits.
The Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 55, Hamilton leads Rosberg into T1. Vettel passes Nasr to take 5th. Ocon is up to 8th as Alonso spins after aquaplaning coming out of T13.
In sixth, Nasr is under pressure from Hulkenberg. Real tension in the Sauber garage. What was it we said about drivers keeping their seats?
Verstappen passes Bottas to take 11th, the Finn still on Inters. Next on the youngster's hit list is teammate Ricciardo.
Sorry guys, I could not see anything at the restart," admits Alonso.
Ricciardo is warned that Verstappen went around the outside of Bottas at T3. The Dutch youngster subsequently passes the Australian at T12. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg passes Nasr around the outside at T3 in a bold move.
Verstappen now passes Kvyat to take 9th, setting his sights on Ocon.
Passing Ocon, Verstappen sets off after seventh placed Nasr.
Gutierrez drives into his garage, his race at an end.
As Verstappen passes Nasr, teammate Ricciardo makes a superb move on Kvyat to take tenth.
The Red Bull duo continue to scythe their way through the field, Ricciardo taking 9th from Ocon.
Perez is told that while conditions are getting better it is still raining inn the pitlane, therefore wets until the end.
Another great move from Ricciardo, who passes Nasr in the Senna S to take 8th.
A bit of argy-bargy in the Haas garage where Gutierrez is clearly very, very unhappy.
Verstappen passes Hulkenberg with relative ease, as Sainz, who is hunting down a podium place is told to keep an eye on Vettel who is behind and closing.
However, Vettel is under attack from you know who. Verstappen makes a move in T1 but the German is having none of it. And no swearing.
However, exiting T12, the Red Bull dives through on the inside, Vettel running slightly wide.
Moments later Verstappen is past Sainz and through to fourth. Perez is 7s up the road.
Not for the first time today, we hear the words "he pushed me off the road", this time from Vettel.
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (25.305) as he takes two seconds a lap from Perez.
Ricciardo is all over Hulkenberg, the Red Bull a real force today.
For a couple of corners Verstappen and Perez duel, but the outcome is inevitable, if only because the Mexican, like the Mercedes duo, is on the same set of tyres that are almost totally shot. The Dutch youngster does the deed in style in T10.
Vettel passes Sainz to take 5th, nonetheless a great drive from the Spaniard.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
Hamilton takes the flag, his first win at this circuit. Rosberg finishes second, ahead of Verstappen, Perez, Vettel, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Nasr and Alonso.
Bottas is eleventh, ahead of Ocon, Kvyat, Magnussen, Wehrlein and Button.
Understandably, Hamilton is thrilled, he climbs from his car and runs to his crew.
In the ante room, the race winner and championship leader look enthralled as Verstappen recounts some of his adventures... wat until they watch the reply.
"I was generally just chilling out front," says Hamilton on the podium, the Briton winning for the first time at a track intrinsically linked to his great hero Ayrton Senna. "We're creating history with this team."
"I can live with second for sure," adds Rosberg, "it was on the limit, a fine line out there."
"It was an incredible race," grins Verstappen, "difficult conditions, and then in the end, the final restart, I managed to overtake Nico and then had a massive moment, locked all four wheels. After that I think I was 15th, 14th, so to come back to the podium is just amazing!"
Took the words right out of our mouth Max.
Rosberg's lead now down to 12 points, Hamilton is asked what he thinks are his chances. "I'm hunting. I'm hunting," he replies. "I'm going to go and give it everything I have in Abu Dhabi, but right now I'm going to live in the moment. This has been my dream ever since I grew up watching Ayrton, my first win here!"
And so on to Abu Dhabi, where, unlike today, we do not expect the weather gods to play their part. Then again, after today they are probably exhausted.
Kudos to all today, and while Max is clearly the star of the show, great performances from Perez, Sainz, Nasr and also.
Star of the race... surely all of them.
Brilliant stuff.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.