The 2013 Formula One season comes to a close this weekend with the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, Sao Paulo, and with both championships sewn up long ago, a more relaxed atmosphere could be expected at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. However, this race is perhaps one of the most important of the season as it marks the end of an era in many ways. This will be the last race using V8 engines (with turbocharged V6s inbound for 2014) and the last race in Mark Webber’s Formula One career, and it could prove to be the finale for a number of other drivers who are currently without a seat for next season.
Interlagos has a habit of producing the unexpected, meaning that whilst Sebastian Vettel is chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive victory, his charge could be hindered by a number of factors. Given that Red Bull’s ascension to the front of the field came with the last raft of regulation changes in 2009, the possibility of the opposite in 2014 means that this could be the last race in the team’s era of dominance in the sport. The neutral can wish…
2013 Brazilian Grand Prix Talking Points
Webber hopes to leave his Mark
Mark Webber’s eleven year stint in Formula One will come to an end on Sunday, and he will be hoping to wave goodbye by claiming his tenth and final victory in Brazil where he has won twice before. It would be the fairytale ending for a driver who has never been one to conform and follow the crowd, but regardless of the result, thanks for the memories, Mark.
Seb’s planning to rain on his teammate’s parade, though
The stumbling block for Webber will be, as it has been all season, stablemate Sebastian Vettel. The German driver is looking to equal Alberto Ascari’s record of nine consecutive wins in Brazil and Schumacher’s tally of thirteen for a season. Given his form, of course, it’s hard to see this not happening. With a fresh gearbox to boot, don’t expect him to do Webber any favors as their frosty relationship comes to an end this weekend.
Did someone mention rain?
2013 has been one of the driest seasons in memory, with the intermediate tires being used for just a few laps in Malaysia and the wets not seeing any race running. Therefore, the ‘unexpected’ has rarely happened. This weekend though, heavy rain is forecast for the race on Sunday. Interlagos and precipitation is a marriage made in heaven, so expect 2013 to go out with a bang this weekend.
Huge thunderstorm in downtown São Paulo and heavy downpour. If anything like this hits on Sunday it’s going to be carnage.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) November 21, 2013
One last chance to impress
A number of drivers – Sergio Perez, Heikki Kovalainen, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Gutierrez, Paul di Resta, Adrian Sutil, Pastor Maldonado, Charles Pic, Giedo van der Garde and Max Chilton – all head into the final race of the year without a firm drive in 2014. As a result, this race is a final opportunity for them all to prove their worth and secure a seat on next year’s grid.
Marussia vs Caterham: Round 2
As per 2012, Marussia enter the final round of the season leading the ‘battle of the backmarkers’ for P10 in the constructors’ championship by virtue of Jules Bianchi’s thirteenth-place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix. If they are to recover tenth place – and the prize money that comes with it – Caterham require a top thirteen finish. Impossible? That’s what we said last year, but Vitaly Petrov managed to pass Charles Pic (then with Marussia) in the final few laps to move up into P11 and secure the place for Caterham. Will we see an equally-dramatic battle ensue this weekend?
Track: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace
Laps: 71
Corners: 15
Lap Record: Juan Pablo Montoya 1:11.473 (2004)
Tire Compounds: Medium (option); Hard (prime)
2012 Winner: Jenson Button (McLaren)
2012 Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 1:12.458
2012 Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 1:18.069
DRS Zones: T15 to T1; T3 to T4
Friday – Free Practice 1: 7am ET
Friday – Free Practice 2: 11am ET (LIVE on NBCSN and on NBC Sports Live extra)
Saturday – Free Practice 3: 8am ET
Saturday – Qualifying: 11am ET (LIVE on CNBC and on NBC Sports Live extra)
Sunday – Race: 12pm ET (LIVE on NBC, pre-race show starts at 11am ET and on NBC Sports Live extra)
