Brazilian Grand Prix 2010 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel delivered a crucial victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, leading home Mark Webber for Red Bull's fourth one-two finish of the season and keeping his championship hopes alive heading into the Abu Dhabi finale. The race at Interlagos was defined by Nico Hülkenberg's sensational maiden pole position for Williams and a dramatic championship swing that saw Fernando Alonso's seemingly unassailable lead reduced to just eight points with one race remaining.

The weekend's biggest story was Hülkenberg claiming a stunning pole position with a lap of 1:14.470 in changeable conditions, becoming the youngest polesitter in Williams history. The German rookie's qualifying brilliance shocked the paddock, but he couldn't convert it to victory in the race, eventually finishing eighth after strategy and pace disadvantages. Vettel seized the lead at the start and controlled the race brilliantly, managing his tires and pace perfectly at the challenging Interlagos circuit. Webber followed him home in second place, ensuring Red Bull maximized their points haul in the penultimate race of the season.

Alonso could only manage third place after a difficult race, with Ferrari's pace unable to match Red Bull's at the Brazilian circuit. Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap but finished outside the points after being caught up in incidents, while Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap. The championship mathematics heading to Abu Dhabi were incredible - Alonso led with 246 points, Webber had 238, Vettel 231, and Hamilton 222. All four drivers could still mathematically win the championship, though Hamilton needed a miracle. Alonso needed just fourth place regardless of others' results, but Vettel's victory demonstrated Red Bull's superior pace and set up one of the most dramatic season finales in F1 history. The stage was set for Abu Dhabi.