Brazilian Grand Prix 2011 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Mark Webber delivered a brilliant performance to win the Brazilian Grand Prix season finale at Interlagos, ending his frustrating winless campaign on a triumphant high note by beating already-crowned champion Sebastian Vettel in a Red Bull one-two finish. The 35-year-old Australian, starting from second on the grid, seized the lead from pole-sitter Vettel at the start and controlled the race from the front, setting the fastest lap to complete a dominant display that reminded everyone of his championship-challenging form from 2010. Jenson Button completed the podium for McLaren as the curtain fell on one of the most dominant seasons in Formula 1 history, with Vettel's record-shattering championship campaign finally reaching its conclusion.

Vettel had claimed his astonishing 15th pole position of the season with a lap of 1:11.918, setting a single-season record that still stands today and epitomizing the clinical perfection that defined his 2011 dominance. But at the start, Webber made an aggressive move and outfoxed his teammate into Turn 1, seizing the lead and never looking back. The Australian had endured a season of frustration playing support to Vettel's relentless march to the title, despite claiming four pole positions himself and demonstrating race-winning pace throughout the year. Finally, with the championship already decided and the pressure off, Webber put together a complete performance that showcased his considerable talents. He set the fastest lap of 1:15.324 and controlled every lap with precision, demonstrating that on his day, he remained one of the sport's finest drivers.

Vettel settled comfortably into second place, having long since secured his second consecutive world championship with 11 victories and that record 15 poles. His final points tally of 392 from 19 races represented a margin of dominance - 122 points over Button in second - rarely witnessed in modern F1, with only his own 2013 campaign approaching similar levels of superiority. Button's third place concluded a solid season for the 2009 champion, though he and McLaren had been comprehensively outclassed by Red Bull's technical superiority. Fernando Alonso finished fourth for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five for McLaren. Red Bull's one-two sealed their second consecutive championship double with 650 constructor points, confirming their status as the dominant force in Formula 1. Webber's victory provided a bittersweet ending to 2011 - a reminder of what might have been for the Australian had circumstances aligned differently, and proof that Red Bull possessed not one but two world-class drivers. As the teams departed Interlagos, few could imagine that 2012 would bring one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, shattering assumptions about Red Bull's invincibility.