The tops and flops of Interlagos

The tops

Red Bull Racing ? Hag
If the title of World Drivers' Champion is not yet assured and Fernando Alonso is ideally placed to win, Red Bull Racing had an accomplished race, its two cars being the fastest. The Milton Keynes team thus won its first World Constructors' Champion title, for its sixth season in F1. In addition, thanks to their fourth one-two finish of the season, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber move closer to Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings. In Abu Dhabi, Red Bull-Renault will have the opportunity to win a second title, through Vettel or Webber.

Renault
The French engine manufacturer won its ninth world award this weekend. Williams (1992, 93, 94, 96 and 97), Benetton (1995), Renault (2005, 06) had already triumphed with the engine of the Losange firm, it is now Red Bull Racing which wins a title with single-seaters powered by a Renault unit.

Fernando Alonso
Starting fifth, the Spaniard has nothing to be ashamed of for his performance. He quickly got the better of Lewis Hamilton, before focusing on doubling Nico Hulkenberg. Far from the Red Bulls after being delayed behind the German, he was no longer left behind but never called into question the domination of Vettel and Webber. Thanks to this new podium, the seventh in eight races (including four victories), Alonso is getting closer to a third world title (see different scenarios). The Spaniard has his destiny in his hands.

Mercedes
Despite disappointing qualifying, the Mercedes drivers had a very good race. Nico Rosberg, who qualified thirteenth, finished in an excellent sixth place, behind the five drivers who battled for the world title. Michael Schumacher, seventh, finished far ahead of his closest pursuer, being the last driver to finish on the same lap as Sebastian Vettel.

Nico Hulkenberg
Although he did not finish as high as he might have hoped, the German produced an excellent overall performance in Brazil. During qualifying, on a drying track and armed with a car fitted with slick tires, the 2009 GP2 Series champion beat all the big names in the field, taking his first pole. On Sunday, he could not resist these drivers for long but held his place, finishing eighth, first of the drivers not part of any of the four best teams (Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes).

The flops

Massa? Barrichello
The Brazilian Grand Prix was not successful for the Brazilians! Felipe Massa, winner twice at Interlagos, did not experience the same success as in previous years. In fact, the Ferrari driver was unable to help Fernando Alonso in the title race, notably due to a poor qualifying and two pit stops at the start of the race. Rubens Barrichello was not more successful, with a very long first pit stop, then a puncture. He is the highest ranked Brazilian at Interlagos, 14th. Lucas di Grassi retired, Bruno Senna finished 21st.

Red Bull Racing
By wanting to give its two drivers a chance, Red Bull risks letting the title of World Drivers' Champion slip away. In the Interlagos paddock, the team management, "trapped" by its racing philosophy, seemed to regret not having favored Mark Webber to give him a better chance of being titled World Champion in Abu Dhabi. But, for the beauty of the sport, no F1 fan disinterested in the outcome of the championship can regret this scenario.

Vitaly Petrov – Renault
In Brazil, the Russian scored no points either for the championship standings or for his retention in the team.enstone. In free practice, he first went off the track violently causing significant damage to his car. In qualifying, he still managed to get into Q3 but, in the race, he never managed to get into the right rhythm. Having missed his start, he remained stuck in the middle of the pack, finishing 16th. Furthermore, Robert Kubica?s 9th place did not reward the good dispositions displayed this weekend by the Renault R30.