The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was one of the most exciting races of the modern Formula 1 era with the championship being decided in the last race of the season. Sebastian Vettel won his 3rd driver’s championship in a row after securing 4th place in the race, giving him a 3-point cushion to his championship rival, Fernando Alonso. The Brazilian GP also marked the 306th and final race for Michael Schumacher who announced his retirement for the second time.
The starting grid saw the McLaren Mercedes team lock out the front row with Lewis Hamilton on pole and Jenson Button in P2. The Red Bull Racing Renault team locked out the second row with Mark Webber in P3 and Sebastian Vettel in P4. Alonso started the race in P7 for Ferrari. In the opening lap of the race, the championship was blown wide open when championship leader Vettel was involved in a multi-car incident! After getting his car back on track he was in last place while Alonso stayed out of trouble and got himself into P5. Alonso had made it into the podium positions by the end of lap 1.
If Alonso finished 3rd in the race, Vettel had to come 10th or better to secure his 3rd world championship but after the catastrophe of lap 1 the results were far from clear. Lap 8 saw Vettel work his way up to P8. Many drivers were struggling for grip on the track as it was still slightly damp after heavy rainfall the night before. Most drivers started the race on intermediate tires and by lap 16 rain was starting to fall. The rain remained a drizzle and Nico Hulkenberg was able to lead much of the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, but on lap 54 he collided with Hamilton after the back markers got in the way, ruining his race, and ending Hamilton’s. This put Alonso into a world championship taking position!
With the rain beginning to fall harder, a crash for Paul Di Resta on Lap 70 made it clear that the 2012 season was going to end under the safety car. It was Button who took the race win with Alonso in 2nd and Filipe Massa in 3rd. However, Sebastian Vettel’s 6th place was enough to secure him and Red Bull their 3rd Driver’s and Constructor’s championships. Vettel was congratulated by long-time friend and mentor Michael Schumacher as he said goodbye to the sport and let his protégé carry on the legacy.
Written by Cesca.
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