Vettel and Red Bull to conclude in Brazil

The rain ultimately spared the Brazilian Grand Prix for the most part and the grooved tires remained in their casings. Despite a bad start when the lights went out and total confusion in the Red Bull pits where the team was waiting for Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel won his ninth consecutive victory, his 13th of the season (record tied with Michael Schumacher), the 39th of his career. The stable of Milton Keynes concludes the season with the best possible result since the Australian takes second place for his last Grand Prix, which also allows him to take third place in the Championship with ten points ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Fernando Alonso completes the podium without being able to worry the two RB9s and finishes vice-champion.

McLaren also ended the season on an optimistic note as Jenson Button finished just off the podium while his teammate Sergio Pérez finished sixth behind Nico Rosberg. Mercedes maintains second place in the Manufacturers' Championship with six points ahead of the Team Ferrari even if Lewis Hamilton only finished ninth. The 2008 world champion had a complicated race, including a collision with the Williams de Valtteri Bottas causing a puncture for both drivers. The Briton also received a drive-through for tackling the Finn. Felipe Massa finished his last Grand Prix with Ferrari in seventh place. The Brazilian also received a penalty for slightly cutting the pit entry line while fighting for a place at the foot of the podium.

Daniel Ricciardo signs a final top ten at Interlagos before moving to the leading Red Bull team next year. Paul di Resta follows in 11th place ahead of Esteban Gutiérrez and Adrian Sutil. Heikki Kovalainen only offers a 14th place to Lotus who had a very difficult final weekend since Romain Grosjean retired at the start of the race, engine exploded. His compatriot Jean-Eric Vergne also suffered as he finished 15th ahead of Pastor Maldonado and Jules Bianchi. Marussia maintains its tenth place in the Constructors' Championship while Charles Pic retired with a broken suspension.

Discover the analysis of the Brazilian Grand Prix in issue 1937 of AUTOhebdo, available from Tuesday in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.