Brazilian GP Preview: weather can turn it into a lottery

With the world title still in contention and with drivers running on the edge of the knife, knowing that the most simple mistake may put them out of battle, some more spice is being added to the Brazilian GP. For the weekend poor weather is expected for Interlagos so in the words of Renault’s Robert Kubica Sunday’s race can become a lottery.

After Fernando Alonso’s win in Korea, his fifth of the season, the title contention couldn’t be more alive. Alonso is leading with 231 can’t play it safe and run for third place, as the McLaren will be bringing yet more updates to their MP4-25 and both drivers will be giving extra effort, as they really have to win to still have a chance. The same happens with the both Red Bulls, a win is mandatory in Brazil.

In Brazil, Red Bull has made it clear that no team orders will give the advantage to any of its drivers. Mark Webber is lying in second with 220 points, while Vettel is fourth with 206. Red Bull will let both continue to fight for the title.

Outside the title battle Kubica that has been showing great form in the final rounds of the season must be definitely hungry for a win, while Ferrari’s Felipe Massa will be working as a squire for his team-mate but also looking to look good in front of his home crowd.

As for Alonso, the Spaniard continues to insist that in Brazil he won’t be thinking about clinching the title, although he is the only contender who can do so.

“I know it is theoretically possible, but that does not count for me,” he says. “We want to tackle this Grand Prix in the same way as all the others, concentrating on ourselves with our feet on the ground, trying to do a good job, without making mistakes and with the aim of beating our rivals. I have said it before and I say it again: we will do the maths in Abu Dhabi.”

"I am back in the lead of the championship for the first time since way back after the Australian Grand Prix. However, we know that with this points system and the gaps as they are, the standings don't really mean that much: it only takes one race - as indeed we saw in Korea - for the situation to turn itself round,” Alonso added.

As the winner of last year’s race in Brazil, Webber still has his win in Interlagos in mind, “I obviously have good memories of last year. It was a nice race to win and clearly we’ll be trying to win again. It’s now coming to a pivotal stage of the championship, and we need to make the most of every opportunity that we can.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, is prepared to have to battle it through: "It's going to be tough - we saw again in Korea that we've probably only got the third-fastest car, so we're probably not the favourites - but that's okay. We're bringing new parts to the car all the time, and I know we'll have some more upgrades in Brazil - whether that will be enough, we need to wait and see. But I'm going to enjoy pushing - I've had some good races in Brazil, it's a place where you can really make a charge work, so I go there feeling very optimistic and hopeful of another good showing.”

The Brit states that his main objective is to reach Abu Dhabi with a mathematical possibility of winning the title and to see what happens in the end.

After major disappointment in Korea, Vettel will come to Brazil with a strong and positive attitude: “There are a lot of positive things. The circuit is fantastic and the spectators are passionate about racing. Interlagos is challenging for us because, after a season of racing on clockwise circuits, it’s anti-clockwise and puts a strain on your neck muscles. But it requires good aerodynamics, and that should suit the RB6.”

Although he remembers the fantastic run he had in Brazil last year, Button is in a whole different situation, but the Brit hasn’t put his arms down yet.

“Given the points situation, I know that I face an uphill struggle to hold on to the world title, but I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got this weekend to stay in contention. I fought hard to become the 2009 world champion, and I won’t give up my title without a fight.”

The race will run over 71 laps of the 4.309 kilometre (2.677 mile) circuit (unchanged bar minor kerbing and run-off improvements), or 305.909 kilometres (190.085 miles). It starts at 1400 hours local time, which is two hours behind GMT.