São Polo Grand Prix – Highlights

Located at the end of the championship since 2004, the Brazilian Grand Prix has often been crucial for the obtaining of world titles.

An epic ending in 2007

The 2007 edition of this race remains etched in the memory of many spectators, as well as drivers. Starting with Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Felipe Massa.

The context is as follows: for his first year in F1, the young Lewis Hamilton is leading the championship with a 4-point lead over his teammate Fernando Alonso and 7 over Kimi Räikkönen.

At the previous Grand Prix in China, the young Englishman made a mistake entering the pit lane and had to retire in the gravel trap located in the pit lane.

He is giving his two rivals a chance to redeem themselves. In qualifying, it’s Felipe Massa who secures pole position at home. Ahead of Hamilton, followed by Räikkönen and Alonso.

Everything augurs for an exciting Grand Prix, and it will be. At this time, only the top eight drivers get points. The winner is credited with 10 points, while the second one is awarded 8.

The start is eventful: while Massa takes advantage of his pole position, Lewis Hamilton gets jostled and comes out of the third turn in 8th position.

Despite all his determination that allows the Englishman to gain two positions in two laps, fate is relentless. His gearbox experiences a failure on the third lap and becomes stuck in neutral.

The unfortunate young British driver has to reset his car and loses valuable time. He does not give up but can only climb back to seventh place.

At the front of the race, the Ferraris are flying. Fernando Alonso cannot keep up with the pace of the Ferraris and has to settle for third place on the podium.

By winning this race, the Finnish driver achieves his only world championship title after failures in 2003 and 2005. He finishes the season with one point advantage over Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s McLarens.

After the race, the team based in Woking appeals the decision of the FIA not to disqualify the two BMWs of Kubica and Heidfeld, nor the Williams of Rosberg, both ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Indeed, the fuel temperature did not comply with regulations.

However, the English team will not be the winner by default, as the appeal has been rejected.

A 2003 edition ending with a red flag

Placed at the beginning of the championship this year. The weather is unpredictable for this first weekend of April 2003. A tropical rain pours down on the circuit on race day even before it starts.

The safety car releases the single-seaters on the ninth lap, even though the track remains wet and dangerous.

Quickly, several drivers make mistakes and end their race in the run-offs. Michaël Schumacher is thus caught off guard at the Senna’s S and almost hits the tow truck present at the edge of the track for another competitor.

At the end of the race, as the rain intensifies, Mark Webber crashes his Jaguar into the wall located on the start/finish line. The crash is impressive.

However, the worst is yet to come.

Indeed, Fernando Alonso collides with one of the Jaguar’s tires left on the track and pulverizes his single-seater, which spins multiple times before coming to a stop against a wall.

The Spanish driver, who was in third place in the race, caused it to be stopped with a red flag, but will not be able to step onto the podium.

He is injured in the leg. A lesser evil considering the violence of the impact.

In the confusion of the end of the race, Kimi Räikkönen is declared the winner of his second race after Malaysia, ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella.

The victory will be given to the Italian a few days later. The Finn overtook the Renault driver in the lap where the race was stopped. However, according to the regulations, the ranking retained must be that of the previous lap.

Since this incident, the Brazilian Grand Prix has been placed at the end of the championship to avoid the heavy rains at the beginning of the year. This race was a first reminder of the required safety level for a Formula 1 race.

2012, battle for a third crown

The year 2012 is marked by an extraordinary start to the season. In the first seven rounds, seven different drivers stood out.

The Brazilian Grand Prix once again closes the championship. It is the twentieth race. Before the start of the race, two double world champions are competing for a third crown. These are Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. However, the Spaniard has a deficit of 13 points. But a victory worth 25 points gives hope to the Asturias bull. Kimi Räikkönen, in third place, is far too behind and already eliminated.

The McLarens dominate the tests and occupy the front row at the end of qualifying. Sebastian Vettel starts the race in fourth place and Alonso in seventh.

The German driver makes a bad start and is hit by Bruno Senna on the first lap. A scenario like 2007 or 2008 is emerging. Especially since the Ferrari driver is holding a solid second place following Lewis Hamilton’s retirement.

The two champions deliver a majestic race by giving their ultimate strengths in the battle.

It’s unfortunately not enough for the Spaniard. He fails to pass Jenson Button’s McLaren, who is a strong winner.

Meanwhile, the German driver manages to climb up his Red Bull to sixth place.

He thus won his third title with a three-point lead, after a Brazilian Grand Prix that once again gave us a scenario worthy of the greatest cinema.