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14:03 The lights come on for the last time this year. One light, two, three, four, five... GO! 14:02 Here we come back out on to the grid and I may have seen a drop of rain on Massa's camera there... 14:01 In the battle for the constructors' positions, the big one is over P10 and Caterham needs a 13th place ahead of Marussia to snatch it 14:01 I'll admit I tipped Vettel NOT to win this race, so I'm going to stick with that prediction. If he does it though, it will be some achievement to win nine in a row 14:00 Away we go on the formation lap. Everyone on the medium tyre except for Button and Gutierrez 13:59 The grid starts to clear on the two minute warning 13:58 A few of the teams seem to expect it to rain at some stage in the race, which could make things even more interesting. 13:57 13:55 Mark Webber having a chat with Charlie Whiting ahead of his final race. Let's hope he bows out on a high and not like David Coulthard's final race here with Red Bull which ended at the first corner 13:53 So it's also a final race for Felipe Massa with Ferrari and he's the only man to have won from pole position here in the last ten years. Vettel goes in search of a ninth consecutive victory at the end of what has been a truly dominant season, but the whole grid will be entering the unknown having not done any dry running so far this weekend 13:49 13:45 Weather is going to be a talking point throughout the day, and at present it's overcast but very much dry. That could change as the afternoon goes on though 13:43 A bit of news from earlier, there was a grid penalty for Sergio Perez after he required a new gearbox so he will start from 19th place 13:41 As always we would love to hear from you during the race and will try to publish as many as comments as possible. You can get in touch with us either via Twitter @ESPNF1 or by emailing us using the link above 13:39 Mark Webber had a photoshoot in his garage with Australian memorabilia on his car and Waltzing Matilda playing earlier, while Felipe Massa was given a guard of honour by Ferrari as he drove his car out of the garage to go to the grid 13:36 The cars are heading to the grid and because it's dry it is being used as an opportunity to learn about the track conditions and car set-up on slicks 13:34 Not only is it the end of the 2013 season, it's the end of Mark Webber's Formula One career while we also say goodbye to V8 engines and Cosworth after this race. Who knows how many other drivers won't be back next year too? 13:30 Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The curtain comes down on the 2013 season at Interlagos and lights-out is just half an hour away |
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Lap 1 |
Rosberg leads! Hamilton up to P3 behind Vettel but ahead of Alonso. Webber down to fifth place. Vettel attacks at the end of the lap though... |
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Lap 2 |
And Vettel is back in the lead in to Turn 1. Good straight line pace from Red Bull. Alonso up the inside of Hamilton too for third place! And now Webber on the second Mercedes with a great move round the outside of Turn 6 - brilliant stuff. |
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Lap 3 |
DRS has been enabled and Vettel is 1.4s clear of Rosberg. Alonso all over the back of the Mercedes and the Merc seems slow in a straight line. Hulkenberg with a good start up to P7 and hustling Massa. Grosjean's engine has blown! |
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Lap 4 |
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Lap 5 |
Webber with the fastest final sector but no way past Rosberg. Alonso dropping the Mercedes but Vettel has a 3.7s lead. Such a shame for Grosjean who has been in great form. Kovalainen had a bad start too and is down in 17th place |
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Lap 6 |
Alonso loses 1.1s to Vettel - that's ominous. Webber really attacking Rosberg but yet to find a way past. If the Mercedes pair continue to struggle then the battle for P2 in the constructors' could be alive... |
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Lap 7 |
Webber is through on Rosberg. DRS towards Turn 1 and then outbraked around the outside. Good stuff and he's now setting off after Alonso. Grosjean having to run along the side of the track to get back to the pits! He's safely back now |
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Lap 8 |
Hamilton close behind Rosberg while Massa is hanging on behind them. Hulkenberg dropping off the back of Massa and he says he's getting some graining on the front left. Replays show Button passing Ricciardo for eighth place using DRS - he's on hard tyres don't forget |
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Lap 9 |
Vettel leads by 6.5s while Webber takes 0.2s out of Alonso on the last lap. Rosberg has Hamilton right on his back. Stewards looking at an incident between Perez and di Resta for forcing another driver off track |
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Lap 10 |
Rosberg holding up Hamilton here and with Massa in striking distance. Rosberg is told not to hold up Lewis if he has a problem with the tyres. Webber a second behind Alonso too. Perez passes Gutierrez for 11th place while Vergne is going backwards and has just dropped to 15th place. |
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Lap 11 |
Vetetl has a huge lead already - over 7s - and Webber is all over Alonso. The Ferrari defends the inside line twice and stays ahead. Rosberg seems to let Hamilton through in to Turn 4 while Vergne pits for hard tyres. Button asks for the times of the Mercedes over the radio and he is matching their pace |
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Lap 12 |
Make that gap at the front 9.1s. We'll need some rain to pull Vettel back in. Alonso and Webber staying close together while radio calls confirm Rosberg was asked to let Hamilton through. No further action for Perez/di Resta. Webber very close now... |
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Lap 13 |
Webber is through! Up the inside in to Turn 1 - he'd saved all his KERS for out of the final corner. Perez pushing hard and attacking Bottas for P10 - he gets the Williams on the exit of Turn 4 and has Ricciardo just ahead of him |
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Lap 14 |
Vettel is told it's now Webber in second place. Button attacks Hulkenberg and is through in to Turn 4 to take P7. The gap to Massa is 4.4s, can he close it? Perez right behind Ricciardo already for P9. |
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Lap 15 |
Ricciardo pits - the Toro Rossos struggling here after a good qualifying. Massa passes Rosberg for P5 in to Turn 4 from a long way back - those rear tyres a real problem for Mercedes. Maldonado told to stay out because there's a risk of showers |
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Lap 16 |
Rob Smedley over the radio: "That was a good pace mate, that was a good pass. Come on now". Vettel leads Webber by 10.4s but Vettel with a big lock-up in the middle sector. Funny how you get different messages on the radio - Rosberg told rain in 10 minutes, Alonso told none in the next 20 |
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Lap 17 |
The rain radar says no rain in the next 30 minutes but that there are showers located on the path of the track. Webber is now 10.9s adrift but is 2.3s clear of Alonso. Hamilton four seconds behind the first Ferrari and 2.7s clear of Massa. Button catching Rosberg but 4.2s behind |
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Lap 18 |
Kovalainen has already pit and I think we can safely say that's the chance of P3 out of the window for Lotus in the constructors'. Bottas and Sutil both in to the pits and Sutil jumps the Williams. Now Rosberg told rain in five minutes! |
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Lap 19 |
Rain would spice things up a bit but it will hurt anyone stopping right now. Vetetl with another lock-up but all Webber can do is take 0.1s out of him. Alonso matching Hamilton who is dropping Massa. Button now 3.6s behind Rosberg. Bottas uses DRS to pass Vergne for 17th having pit, but then Bottas goes wide and drops two places |
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Lap 20 |
Massa pits - he'll have to hope it doesn't rain. Vettel is told there are "a few spots of rain in the air". Perez in too. Massa has gone for medium tyres, I suspect in anticipation of rain later and not having to runt he hards. Kovalainen with a great move on Verne around the outside of Turn 1 |
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Lap 21 |
Button pits for a set of medium tyres and Hulkenberg is in too. Funny one that. Vettel keeping the gap as it is, and Alonso dropping back so he's coming in for hard tyres. Alonso in with Hamilton at the same time, and Massa is told it will be "tight" with Hamilton |
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Lap 22 |
It's raining slightly as Button passes Ricciardo and Maldonado up the inside in to Turn 1 - good move. Gutierrez ahead as well already under threat and Button passes him round the outside of Turn 6! Tyres the difference there |
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Lap 23 |
Massa has come out ahead of Hamilton, while Rosberg pits for a set of hard tyres. Lots of on-track action and Button is ahead of Rosberg too! Hulkenberg has passed Maldonado for P10 as Webber pits. Looks like it's raining to me down at Turn 4... |
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Lap 24 |
Webber pits but it's a slow one - five seconds. That's allowed Alonso through after he set the fastest lap! I must have got the rain call wrong with the lap times still coming down. Vettel coming in this time round, will the pit stop issue repeat itself? |
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Lap 25 |
No, it won't. Vettel's stop is half the time of Webber's and he can continue on his merry way. His lead is more than the full length of the straight between Turns 3 and 4. Webber right on Alonso's tail while Massa and Hamilton are scrapping over P4 just three seconds further back. |
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Lap 26 |
Webber up the inside of Alonso in to Turn 1 and he holds on in to Turn 4 too. After that all shakes out, McLaren the big winners with Button in P6 and Perez in P8. Hamilton stalking Massa - he looks a bit quicker at this stage of the race. The lack of mixed conditions not helping Caterham in its fight with Marussia |
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Lap 27 |
Vettel's lead is 10.4s. Webber and Alonso have dropped Massa and Hamilton a bit more while Button is matching those ahead but 9s behind Hamilton. Just to tempt fate: We're still yet to have rain during a race this season (though started on intermediates in Malaysia after a pre-race shower) |
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Lap 28 |
Webber with the fastest middle sector and he will take a bit of time out of Vettel here. Half a second as he sets the fastest lap. Alonso matching Webber's pace at this stage so he's still in the fight there. Vergne in for a second stop already - tough day |
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Lap 29 |
Vettel responds with the fastest lap but then Webber beats it. Hamilton and Massa both seem to have some issues with KERS. Massa is under investigation for crossing the white line on pit entry, that could spell trouble... |
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Lap 30 |
Bianchi says a few more spots of rain. Let it down, please! Gutierrez passes Bottas in to Turn 1 but the two of them bump wheels for good measure. Massa is warned not to cross the pit entry with all four wheels when he isn't pitting, so seems to be getting away with that investigation for now. |
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Lap 31 |
Hamilton is told Massa is under investigation though. Interesting. Hamilton attacks in to Turn 1, both lock up but nothing changes. Vettel leads by 10.5s while Webebr has dropped Alonso by 2s |
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Lap 32 |
Drive through penalty for Massa! Smedley can't believe it. Hamilton is informed of the drive through so told not to challenge him. The replay shows Massa got on to the hatching between pit lane and track, but that seems harsh - perhaps not his first indiscretion |
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Lap 33 |
That's a big call for the constructors' fight as both Ferraris were ahead of both Mercedes. Spots of rain on the camera. Massa is told about his penalty and says "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! UNBELIEVABLE!" Massa has been told to take his penalty already but seems to be ignoring the call... |
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Lap 34 |
Lap times dropping off a touch as the rain falls lightly. Massa has to pit at the end of this lap I believe. Hamilton on the radio about Massa - the Ferrari finally dives in the pits. He's very angry and is gesturing as he passes through the pit lane. He rejoins behind Perez in P8. |
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Lap 35 |
Vettel leads by 11.9s and it all looks very easy for him right now. Webber 3.2s ahead of Alonso and Hamilton now 7.5s behind. Button promoted to fifth as a result of the Massa penalty. Rosberg has Perez for close company at this stage... |
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Lap 36 |
Button warned about crossing the line too. On board with Alonso and a few spots of rain remain on the camera. Nothing nearly heavy enough to worry anyone though. Button told to save his tyres and then tells his race engineer not to talk to him in braking zones |
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Lap 37 |
Maldonado passes Bottas in to the first corner but they're scrapping over 14th place. Kovalainen now behind both after another pit stop. Some of the gaps are quite big out there but Perez 1.4s behind Rosberg for P6 |
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Lap 38 |
Sutil pits for a second time. Massa is slow at this stage and dropping back from Perez at over a second a lap. Perez continues to close on Rosberg while Hamilton is told no rain for 20 minutes, but he doesn't think his tyres will last that long |
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Lap 39 |
Vettel and Webber the quickest two out there and the gap between them is 11.5s. Hamilton 7s behind Alonso and seems able to close up a touch on the Ferrari. More spots of rain falling as Perez gets the gap to Rosberg down to a second. He's also edging back towards Button. |
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Lap 40 |
This is a really good race behind Vettel, really! Perez now in DRS range of Rosberg and the two of them catching Button. Webber also warned about the white line at pit entry having had some warnings too. |
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Lap 41 |
Rosberg now coming up behind traffic - is this a chance for Perez? Don't forget Perez started down in 19th place so he's doing a great job. Both pass the Marussia but Perez is close. Starting to drizzle again. |
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Lap 42 |
Even if it does start to rain heavily, Vettel has got himself a nice big margin to allow himself to pit. Hulkenberg says it is raining at Turn 5. Bottas pits from P16, not a good day for him so far. Perez continues to stalk Rosberg but hasn't really been able to attack yet. |
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Lap 43 |
Alonso pegging Webber now but six seconds behind. Ricciardo in for a second stop from P10 and that puts di Resta in to the points. spots of rain keep hitting Perez's camera lens but it's not really coming down hard. Button pits. |
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Lap 44 |
Button with a slow stop while Massa also pits. Massa was told to pit then said it was raining so was told to stay out, but then he came back in. Vettel with a slow lap... |
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Lap 45 |
Sutil unlapped himself against Vettel and the Red Bull is slower in the middle sector. Button stays ahead of Rosberg and Perez as both pit. Chilton getting in between the two but soon out of Perez's way. |
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Lap 46 |
Massa is behind di Resta after his stop but definitely quicker. Tim emails in to ask: "Do you see a seat somewhere for Kovalainen in '14?" Yup, I reckon he'll end up at Caterham. These two races won't have forced him in to the plans at Lotus I don't think. As I write that, Massa passes di Resta on the pit straight. |
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Lap 47 |
Vettel also lets Ricciardo unlap himself, which is strange. |
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Lap 48 |
Tyre failures? Vettel pits but Red Bull not ready for him. Puncture for Hamilton! His right rear delaminated. Webber looked to have a failure too as he came in to the pits to stack behind Vettel. Hamilton takes on hard tyres. |
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Lap 49 |
Replays show it was Hamilton and Bottas making contact. Bottas came down the outside, Hamilton moved across on him in the braking zone for Turn 4 and picked up the puncture, while Bottas' left rear came off in the contact. Why did Vettel come in though? Webber had to wait and Alonso is right behind the second Red Bull for P2 |
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Lap 50 |
Hamilton under investigation and complaining about the handling of his car. Vettel had a very slow in lap before his pit stop. More rain on the camera lenses now but the pace has picked up.Webber catching Vettel though, the gap is 5.7s and Alonso hustling the Red Bull |
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Lap 51 |
Hari emails in: "We have to hand it to Vettel's talent but we also should remember that he stole that win from Webber and then told the world Webber didn't deserve to win. hmmmm, wonder if he'd give Webber this win?" I think there's some other issue to be honest, Vettel was very slow and had no right front ready for him. Red Bull managed to get him out quite quickly though. Drive through penalty for Hamilton for causing a collision, this could help Ferrari... |
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Lap 52 |
Fastest lap from Webber and the gap at the front down to 5.5s. He's dropping Alonso too. It looks like rain is coming too as the track is shrouded in cloud. Hamilton will drop out of the points with his penalty so Rosberg needs to keep Perez behind him |
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Lap 53 |
Webber continues to close on Vettel. The rain seems to be unnerving Vettel slightly. Hamilton takes his drive through and Mercedes says it "doesn't understand it either". Button is up to P4 after all that too - an issue ahead and McLaren could be on for a podium... |
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Lap 54 |
The gap at the front now 5.1s but Vettel looks to be responding on this lap. He responds and extends it to 5.7s. Still slight rain falling but we need it to get heavier. Perez right behind Rosberg for P5, this could be a good race for McLaren. Van der Garde gets a drive through for ignoring blue flags |
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Lap 55 |
Rosberg defends against Perez in to Turn 6. Very close racing. Massa dropping back from them both at the moment. Rosberg told how crucial it is he holds off Perez. Vettel seems to have found some more pace as he extends his lead to six seconds |
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Lap 56 |
The weather radar says RAIN EXPECTED. 15 laps to go ... this could get very interesting. Alonso 1.6s behind Webber and Button 20s behind the pair. Massa now responding against the two ahead. Hamilton in the points in P10 and right behind Ricciardo - much quicker than the Toro Rosso too |
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Lap 57 |
Hulkenberg is told there is no risk of rain, very odd. It's still on all the camera lenses. Hamilton dives up the inside of Ricciardo in to Turn 4 and he's up to P9. The gap to Hulkenberg is 10 seconds though so that might be as good as it gets. |
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Lap 58 |
David emails in to say: "The pit crew owes Mark Webber a few seconds. And how does Hamilton get a drive-through for crossing in front of a lapped car? Bizarre." The thing with Hamilton was Bottas had slipstreamed him and pulled alongside. I think the right call, to be honest. Vettel pulls his lead out to 6.8s |
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Lap 59 |
I'm keeping an eye on the lap times in case the rain causes them to drop. Rosberg and Perez remains a close battle with the two a second apart. Alonso takes 0.1s out of Webber but the gap is 2.4s |
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Lap 60 |
A slow middle sector from Vettel and Webber takes a chunk of time out of his team-mate. |
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Lap 61 |
Webber did take a chunk of time out of Vettel in the middle sector but lost it in the final sector, the gap now up to 8s. Alonso staying in touch and could be a threat if it does start raining more heavily. Pic's car still yet to be cleared. |
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Lap 62 |
The yellows are still out and Pic is still in his car as marshals try to push it up a hill. Webber takes a bit of time out of Vettel but nothing significant. Rosberg has got a gap of 1.3s over Perez but that fight isn't over yet. |
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Lap 63 |
Maldonado passes Vergne for P15 while Sutil passes Kovalainen using DRS for 13th. The Caterham trying to roll back down the hill at Turn 6 and marshals holding it in place still. A lot of traffic ahead of Webber so that could slow him a bit |
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Lap 64 |
Vettel holding the gap to Webber to 8s. Perez responds against Rosberg and is back within a second. Maldonado spins at Turn 1 fighting with Vergne. Vergne tapped him at the apex but Maldonado left him no room |
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Lap 65 |
Button was held up a bit by the recovering Maldonado there but stays over two seconds clear of Rosberg. Alonso takes 0.2s out of Webber, is there time for a charge? Maldonado gets in the way of Rosberg and Perez as they try to lap him |
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Lap 66 |
Vettel's lead is 8.5s and only rain can stop him now. It might come in heavily before the race ends though as it looks very dark around the circuit. Webber responds to pull 3.8s clear of Alonso. |
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Lap 67 |
Vettel is warned about rain coming in before the end of the race with five laps to go. The incident between Maldonado and Vergne will be investigated after the race. Gutierrez attacking di Resta for 11th place but they're 3.4s behind Ricciardo in the final points position |
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Lap 68 |
Gaps opening up a touch as Rosberg puts 1.5s between himself and Perez. Gutierrez getting a bit ragged behind di Resta but they are both catching Ricciardo quickly. Raining a bit more heavily as Gutierrez slides through Turn 6. Hamilton aske where the rain is but is told it has cleared. |
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Lap 69 |
Vettel easing towards a ninth consecutive victory but he will be watching the skies nervously. Ricciardo 1.7s ahead of di Resta and Gutierrez and looks to be holding on. Hamilton very lonely in P9. |
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Lap 70 |
It's almost all over for Vettel and he's got a 8.4s lead. Webber now 5.7s ahead of Alonso and the only close battle is over P11, where Sutil has caught Gutierrez too so there are three in the fight. |
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Lap 71 |
Vettel starts his final lap with a nine second lead. Even in tricky conditions he has been almost faultless. Webber told on the radio: "One more lap Mark, enjoy it". He replies: "Yeah, thanks boys, I'll enjoy it".
Alonso finishes third ahead of Button while Rosberg holds off Perez. Massa is seventh, Hulkenberg eighth, Hamilton ninth and Ricciardo tenth. That keeps Mercedes in P2 in the constructors'. Marussia holds on for 10th place too as Bianchi finishes P17 ahead of van der Garde. Webber takes off his helmet on his lap back to the pits. He's told by Horner: "You can be proud of everything you've done, because we certainly are". Vettel with more doughnuts on the start line and returns his car to parc ferme. |
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And that's it, 2013 comes to an end. As Webber's car is draped in an Australian flag it's time we signed off. Thank you so much for following throughout the season, we're sorry it didn't end in quite the same dramatic fashion as last year! Stay with us on ESPNF1.com for all the reaction as Laurence goes scampering around the paddock and we'll be back with live coverage from the start of testing in just two months time. Bring on 2014! Alonso: "It was a difficult race for everyone. Unfortunately the rain didn't come ... it was a shame for us. Hopefully for next year we start with a completely different direction." "It was a shame and sad that Felipe had his drive-through, I think the podium was close for him today. When I was third and he was fourth I thought it would be a very good celebration." Vettel: "I'm actually quite sad that this season is coming to an end! The car has been phenomenal." "Mark and I have not had the best relationship but we've always had respect." Webber: "I enjoyed the last few laps ... thank you very much to everyone in Australia" Out comes the champagne and Webber falls over! He's enjoying it for one last time and is given his Aussie flag as he takes the cheers from the crowd. Alonso and Vettel stand back as Webber salutes the crowd. Out they come on to the podium, big cheers for Webber as he takes to the podium for the last time.
Celebrations down at Marussia as it holds on to P10. Perez is told on the radio that his drive was "sensational". Two very good drives from the McLarens. Webber saus to Alonso "it was good racing you one last time". No real love between the two Red Bull drivers but it's hardly cold. Webber is searching for an Aussie flag before going out on the podium. Good on Vettel to perform for the crowd, and Massa does the same at the end of his final race for Ferrari. Webber says "Good job" to Vettel in the pit lane, while Massa embraces his Ferrari team. |
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Grosjean's engine went bang out of the final corner and covered the track in smoke but no contact behind, luckily. Alonso passes Rosberg for second place towards Turn 4 - the Merc just too slow. Alonso now will set off after Vettel
Sebastian Vettel wins the Brazilian Grand Prix. Nine in a row for Vettel, and Mark Webber is second in his final grand prix.
