Speedcafe.com Race Guide - 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix

FORMULA 1 GRANDE PRÊMIO PETROBRAS DO BRASIL 2011 (São Paulo) 25 - 27 Nov 2011

Local Heroes

UNDER PRESSURE

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Nico Hulkenberg took a surprise pole position at Interlagos last year, but it was Sebastian Vettel that led into the first corner.

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Round 19 - Brazil I Introduction

The lessons learnt Formula One followers will look towards the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend with an age-old motor racing lesson fresh in their minds.

Brazil

The fate of Sebastian Vettel a fortnight ago in Abu Dhabi was a timely reminder that terms such as ‘forgone conclusion’ should never be attached to a sport with as many variables involved as Grand Prix racing.

EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus

A record-equalling 14th pole for the season, a clean getaway, a healthy lead exiting the first corner... it all looked so good for the two-time reigning World Champion, before a minuscule tyre pressure loss recorded on the warm-up lap increased in magnitude rather dramatically. It was a genuine ‘anything can and will happen’ moment.

DESIGN: Kirstie Fuentes SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson

While the incident itself served as a reminder, Vettel’s actions in the aftermath may well have provided a fresh insight for many.

IMAGES: Scuderia Ferrari

Given his dominance of the already wrapped-up 2011 title, one could have forgiven Vettel for simply retiring to the luxury of the paddock facilities following the incident. Seeing the German conversing with his engineering team - both in the team garage and on the pitwall - after the race truly emphasised the depth of the man’s commitment to being the best that he can be at his craft.

Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Mercedes GP Lotus Renault GP Virgin Racing Hispania Racing Team

Far from being simply a freakish natural talent with the best car, Vettel is a deeply driven young man with an immense thirst for knowledge, as well as a solid grasp of the importance of team spirit.

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If those sorts of actions are the difference between a champion and merely a great driver, then the fact Vettel stayed around after the race to examine the circuit with a Pirelli engineer could well explain his seemingly rapid ascendency to all-time great...

Green means go!

Stefan Bartholomaeus G R O U P

Journalist, M Speedcafe.com E D I A Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides

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A proper house warming When McLaren opened its new Production Centre in Woking recently, Ron Dennis invited UK Prime Minister David Cameron inside for a meander

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Round 19 - Brazil I Cover Story

Local Heroes

UNDER P As the Formula One circus rolls into Interlagos for the final round of the 2011 Formula One World Championship, it’s crunch time for Brazil’s three Formula One heroes.

While the spotlight is always on in the sport’s premier category, Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna will all enter their home Grand Prix under the pump.

Coming to the end of his seventh season with Suderia Ferrari, Massa heads to Interlagos on a 46 race losing streak, which dates back to his second Brazilian Grand Prix win in 2008.

Having failed to even make the podium this season, Massa is destined to finish sixth in the points standings - as many as four places behind team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Although Massa’s immediate future remains secure, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is making no secret of the fact that the 30-year-old will need to lift his game if he is to be retained for 2013.

This weekend will mark see Massa chalk up

100 starts for Ferrari, while also signalling another significant milestone.

“This will be a very important weekend for me, as it will also mark the end of the tenth year since I first raced in Formula 1, although not ten years of competition, as I was a Ferrari test driver in 2003,” says Massa.

“Fortunately, I am still young and there is more to come, but ten years is still a landmark in an F1 driver’s career.

“Then there are my six years racing for the Scuderia, competing in one hundred Grands Prix for the team, which makes me one of the drivers who has raced the most for this team.

“Therefore, putting it all together, ten years of Formula 1, one hundred races with Ferrari and all of it at home in Brazil, makes this something really special for me. It will be

an emotional time and what I would like to add to it all would be a good result come Sunday afternoon.”

For Barrichello, this weekend could have even more significance. The 39-year-old will be racing in his 322nd and potentially last Grand Prix this weekend, which will conclude a horror second season with Williams.

As the British based squad is understood to be talking to both Kimi Raikkonen and Adrian Sutil about replacing the Brazilian for 2012, opportunities for a 20th season in Grand Prix racing appear few and far between. Not that Barrichello himself is ready to give up just yet.

“I am positive - I am not going to say goodbye to people,” he says of this weekend.

“I deserve to be there (in Formula One). I am not doing this because of the money, I am

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PRESSURE race as ultra-important.

I am not doing this because of the money, I am not doing this because I want to be just one more in F1, I want to do this because I am so competitive and I deserve to be here not doing this because I want to be just one more in F1, I want to do this because I am so competitive and I deserve to be here, after 20 years, with 40 years of age, I want to be there and I am working my balls off to make that happen.”

And what of Senna? Having replaced Nick

Heidfeld mid-season, the nephew-of-a-gun has made a fair fist of the last seven races in what even the team now describes as a ‘failure’ of a car.

The 28-year-old though may have to make way for Frenchman Romain Grosjean at the team next year, and sees this weekend’s

“I’ve been learning, I’ve been improving and working with the engineers to get the most out of the car,” says Senna of his time with Renault.

“We have been working on some different strategies, and some haven’t paid off. Other teams have taken strides forward that we have not, and we have paid for that in terms of results.

“One thing is for sure – people will remember the last race of the season and how we perform in that. That will be the lingering thought for many as we enter 2012, so we want to end the season on a positive note.”

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Round 19 - Brazil I Track Details

Key Characteristics

Set-up Insight

l Fuel consumption and fuel effect are low compared to other tracks l Kerbs are not a problem and the track is no longer particularly bumpy l Hard race for the drivers with many compressions and greater lateral loads than most circuits l Low atmospheric pressure due to highest altitude of the season - 700 m above sea level l Top speed can be reached before T1 or T4 depending on wind condition

Bumpiness Overtaking chance Kerbs Engine severity Gearbox severity Lat/long grip sensitivity Aero efficiency ratio Weekend grip evolution Aero settings Brake wear sensitivity Brake cooling necessity Pirelli tyre compounds

Medium Low Smooth Medium Low Lateral High High Medium/High Medium Medium Soft and Medium

Data supplied by Team Lotus

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Round 19 - Brazil I The Bag Man

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THE BAGMAN RECENT FORM - TRACK FORM - BAGMAN’S SAY

Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

RED BULL RACING

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Sebastian Vettel Nationality: German Wins: 21 DoB: 03/07/1987 Poles: 29 Debut: Indianapolis, 2007 Fastest Laps: 9 Career Highlights: 2010 World Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2006 F3 Euro Series, 2nd 2004 Formula BMW ADAC

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Mark Webber Nationality: Australian Wins: 6 DoB: 27/08/1976 Poles: 9 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Fastest Laps: 11 Career Highlights: 3rd 2010 World Drivers’ Championship, 2nd 2001 International F3000, 1st 1996 British FF Festival

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If not for an opening lap puncture in Abu Dhabi, Sebastian Vettel would be heading into this weekend’s race looking to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a season.

Instead, the qualifying record books are the ones under threat, with Vettel gunning to surpass Nigel Mansell’s 1992 total of 14 poles.

It’d be a big call to bet against Vettel ending his remarkable season with the pole/victory double.

The need to manage the degradation of the new super soft Pirellis on the high-downforce RB7 does appear to leave a small window open for McLaren, however.

Red Bull Racing Chassis: Red Bull RB7 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Milton Keynes, UK Team nationality: Austrian Team principal: Christian Horner Technical leader: Adrian Newey Debut: Albert Park, 2005 Wins: 26 Poles: 37 Fastest Laps: 21 Constructors’ Championships: 1

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

McLaren Mercedes Lewis Hamilton Nationality: British Wins: 17 DoB: 07/01/1985 Poles: 19 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 11 Career Highlights: 2008 World Drivers’ Champion, 2006 GP2 Champion, 2005 F3 Euroseries Champion

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Jenson Button Nationality: British Wins: 12 DoB: 19/01/1980 Poles: 7 Debut: Albert Park, 2000 Fastest Laps: 6 Career Highlights: 2009 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1998 British FF Festival, 1998 British FF Champion

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Back-to-back wins would be a tremendous way to end a largely disappointing season for McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton may have returned to the top step of the podium in Abu Dhabi, but Vettel’s misfortunes must surely have taken the edge off that winning feeling.

Hamilton will fancy his chances of a front-row start this weekend, and with the typically strong straight-line speed of the McLaren, anything is possible.

Jenson Button fought hard against KERS issues at Yas, and returns to Interlagos one-year after a horror weekend that included a post-qualifying mugging. A good chance to wrap up second in the points standings with a podium finish.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Chassis: McLaren MP4-26 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Woking, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh Technical leader: Paddy Lowe Debut: Monte Carlo, 1966 Wins: 175 Poles: 147 Fastest Laps: 148 Constructors’ Championships: 8

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

Ferrari

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Fernando Alonso Nationality: Spanish Wins: 27 DoB: 29/07/1981 Poles: 20 Debut: Albert Park, 2001 Fastest Laps: 19 Career Highlights: 2005 and 2006 World Drivers Champion, 1st 1999 Euro Open by Nissan

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Scuderia Ferrari will be glad to see the back of the 2011 season when the curtain comes down this weekend in Interlagos.

Fernando Alonso put in another superb performance in Abu Dhabi, making outside passes on Mark Webber and Jenson Button on the opening lap on his way to second place.

The Spaniard had been 0.6s off of pole however, and would not have made the podium without Vettel and Button’s troubles.

Felipe Massa meanwhile had qualified a full 1.2s off the pace, and was again an also-ran in the race.

If Massa was to finally drag himself back onto the podium anywhere it would be in-front of his enthusiastic home fans, but sadly it seems a highly unlikely scenario.

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

Felipe Massa Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 25/04/1981 Poles: 15 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Fastest Laps: 14 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 World Drivers’ Championship, 1st 2001 Euro F3000, 1st 2000 Formula Renault Eurocup

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Chassis: Ferrari 150th Italia Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Maranello, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Stefano Domenicalli Technical leader: Pat Fry Debut: Monte Carlo, 1950 Wins: 216 Poles: 205 Fastest Laps: 227 Constructors’ Championships: 16

Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

Mercedes

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Nationality: German Wins: 91 DoB: 03/01/1969 Poles: 68 Debut: Spa, 1991 Fastest Laps: 76 Career Highlights: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1990 German F3

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Nico Rosberg made a major statement in Abu Dhabi.

The 26-year-old fought won out in a no-holds-barred fight with team-mate Michael Schumacher on the opening lap of the race, before rapidly pulling away from the seven-time World Champion in an emphatic display.

Having come out on top in a strategic battle between the two sides of the Mercedes garage in India, Schumacher had closed to within five points of his countryman in the points standings.

While Schumacher is still a mathematical chance to climb over the top of Rosberg in the season finale, it appears the exWilliams pilot has won the Mercedes war for the second year in succession.

Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team

NICO ROSBERG Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 27/06/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Sakhir, 2006 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, 2005 GP2 Champion, 1st 2002 Formula BMW ADAC

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Chassis: Mercedes MGP W02 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Brackley, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Ross Brawn Technical leader: Bob Bell Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

RENAULT

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

BrUno Senna Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 0 DoB: 15/10/1983 Poles: 0 Debut: Sakhir, 2010 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Series, 3rd 2006 British F3 Championship, 5th 2008 GP2 Asia Series

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Having officially admitted that its radical forward-facing exhaust package was a mistake, Renault is perhaps looking forward to the end of the 2011 season more than any other outfit.

While Vitaly Petrov shocked many onlookers with a recent outburst against his team’s performance in the second half of the year, his comments were hardly untrue.

The R31 has been somewhat of a stationary target for its rivals of late, leaving points scoring opportunities to be few and far between.

While Bruno Senna will be ultra-motivated with his career potentially on the line at his home Grand Prix, either Renault scoring points is unlikely given recent performances.

Lotus Renault GP

Vitaly Petrov Nationality: Russian Wins: 0 DoB: 08/09/1984 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 3rd 2011 Australian Grand Prix, 2nd 2009 GP2 Series, 3rd 2008 GP2 Asia Series

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Chassis: Renault R31 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Enstone, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Eric Boullier Technical leader: James Allison Debut: Silverstone, 1977 Wins: 35 Poles: 51 Fastest Laps: 31 Constructors’ Championships: 2

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

WILLIAMS

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Rubens Barrichello Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 23/05/1972 Poles: 14 Debut: Kyalami, 1993 Fastest Laps: 17 Career Highlights: 2nd 2002 and 2004 World Drivers Championship, 1991 British Formula 3 Champion

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Pastor Maldonado Nationality: Venezuelan Wins: 0 DoB: 09/03/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2010 GP2 Champion, 3rd 2006 Formula Renault 3.5, 1st 2004 Formula Renault 2000 Italia

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The once proud Williams squad reached a new low in Abu Dhabi, where its two cars occupied the back row of the grid for the first time in over 30 years of competition.

With both drivers having taken grid penalties for using a ninth engine for the season, the upside is that both cars will have relatively strong units for the Interlagos finale.

Having endured such a torrid here, especially during his potentially winning Ferrari years, one can’t help but hope Rubens Barrichello can at least scrape a point from what is looking likely to be his final GP. It will be far from an easy task, though.

AT&T Williams Chassis: Williams FW33 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Grove, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Frank Williams Technical leader: Sam Michael Debut: Buenos Aires, 1978 Wins: 113 Poles: 126 Fastest Laps: 130 Constructors’ Championships: 9

Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

FORCE INDIA

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Adrian Sutil Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 11/01/1983 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2006 All-Japan F3 Champion, 2nd 2005 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Masters of F3

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Paul di Resta Nationality: Scottish Wins: 0 DoB: 16/04/1986 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2010 DTM Champion, 2006 Formula 3 Euroseries Champion, 1st 2006 Masters of F3

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Another double-points finish in Abu Dhabi has all but assured Force India of a sixth place finish in the Constructors’ Championship heading into the final round of the season.

Force India again split the tyre strategies between its two drivers at Yas Marina which resulted in an eighth place run for Adrian Sutil and a ninth place for Paul di Resta.

While Sutil is a full 11 points ahead of his team-mate in the points standings, a big result this weekend may be needed to help land a drive for 2012, should test driver Nico Hulkenberg be promoted to race duties as expected.

Force India Chassis: Force India VJM04 Engine: Mercedes FO 108Y Base: Silverstone, UK Team nationality: Indian Team principal: Vijay Mallya Technical leader: Andrew Green Debut: Albert Park, 2008 Wins: 0 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 1 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

SAUBER

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Kamui Kobayashi Nationality: Japanese Wins: 0 DoB: 13/09/1986 Poles: 0 Debut: Interlagos, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series Champion, 4th 2007 F3 Euroseries, 1st 2005 FRenault Eurocup

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Sergio Perez Nationality: Mexican Wins: 0 DoB: 26/01/1990 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2010 GP2 Series, 4th 2007 British F3 Championship Class, 1st 2007 British F3 National Class

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The biggest Constructors’ Championship battle in the field this weekend will be waged between Sauber and Scuderia Toro Rosso.

The Swiss squad sits one point ahead of the second Red Bull team ahead of Interlagos, thanks to a bold tyre strategy yielding a 10th place finish for Kamui Kobayashi in Abu Dhabi.

Both Kobayashi and team-mate Sergio Perez will fancy their chances of points this weekend, with their recent pace set to combine well with Pirelli’s aggressive tyre selection.

Either one can be a hero for the team with a big drive this weekend.

Sauber F1 Team Chassis: Sauber C30 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Hinwil, Switzerland Team nationality: Swiss Team principal: Peter Sauber Technical leader: James Key Debut: Kylami, 1993 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 2 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

TORO ROSSO

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Sebastien Buemi Nationality: Swiss Wins: 0 DoB: 31/10/1988 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Asia, 2nd 2007 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Formula BMW World Final

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Jaime Alguersuari Nationality: Spanish Wins: 0 DoB: 23/03/1990 Poles: 0 Debut: Budapest, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008 British F3 Champion, 2nd 2007 Formula Renault Italia, 1st 2006 FR Italia Winter Series

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As the team focuses on its Constructors’ Championship battle with Sauber, it’ll be every man for himself in the Toro Rosso driving stable.

While Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari have both shone on occasion this season, the strong form of Red Bull junior driver Jean Eric Vergne at the recent Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test - coupled with Daniel Ricciardo’s seemingly impending arrival from HRT - may leave no room at all in the Italian team next year.

Barring mechanical issues, which have cost the team dearly in recent races, both drivers will have a strong chance of finishing the season in the points.

Toro Rosso Chassis: Toro Rosso STR6 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Farenza, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Franz Tost Technical leader: Giorgio Ascanelli Debut: Bahrain, 2006 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

LOTUS

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN Nationality: Finnish Wins: 1 DoB: 19/10/1981 Poles: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 1st 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, 2nd 2005 GP2 Series, 1st 2004 World Series by Nissan

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Recent Monza Form

It may be a mere symbolic fact, but this weekend will mark an important turning point in the history of this team.

The Brazilian Grand Prix will be the last in which the Norfolk-based cars compete under the Team Lotus brand, with a switch to the Caterham F1 moniker the final conclusion to a year-long saga over the Lotus brand name.

The team is bringing a new rear-wing to Interlagos, with which it hopes to improve its DRS performance potentially bringing Heikki Kovalainen closer to Q2 than ever before.

Team Lotus

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

DNF

7

12

18

JARNO TRULLI Nationality: Italian Wins: 1 DoB: 13/07/1974 Poles: 4 Debut: Albert Park, 1997 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 1st 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, 1996 German F3 Champion, 2nd 1995 Macau Grand Prix

Recent Grand Prix Form GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

ABU

DNF

-

DNF

14

14

DNF

19

17

19

18

Recent Monza Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

12

DNF

8

12

13

DNF

8

8

DNF

19

Chassis: Lotus T128 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Norfolk, UK Team nationality: Malaysian Team principal: Tony Fernandes Technical leader: Mike Gascoyne Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

27

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Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

HRT

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Daniel Ricciardo Nationality: Australian Wins: 0 DoB: 01/07/1989 Poles: 0 Debut: Silverstone, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2009 British Formula 3 Champion, 2nd 2010 Formula Renault 3.5

Recent Grand Prix Form GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

ABU

19

19

18

DNF

NC

9

6

19

18

DNF

Recent Monza Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The on-track happenings at Interlagos this weekend are a mere side act to Hispania’s current situation, with the team having recently announced that 40-year-old journeyman Pedro de la Rosa will join as race driver for the next two seasons.

Ending the season under different ownership to that with which it started, Hispania’s signing of de la Rosa appears merely a step in the process of increasing the Spanish flavour of the team.

With the funding of a planned relocation to Valencia likely to be heavily influenced by this week’s Spanish elections, team bosses will have far more than the finishing positions of the cars on their minds this weekend.

HRT F1 Team

Vitantonio Liuzzi Nationality: Italian Wins: 0 DoB: 06/08/1981 Poles: 0 Debut: Imola, 2005 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 3rd 2008/09 Speedcar Series, 2004 F3000 Champion, 2nd 2001 Formula Renault Germany

Recent Grand Prix Form GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

IND

ABU

IND

18

DNF

20

19

DNF

20

23

-

20

-

Recent Monza Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

13

13

-

11

DNF

Chassis: HRT F111 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Madrid, Spain Team nationality: Spanish Team principal: Colin Kolles Technical leader: Tony Cuquerella Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

29

30

Round 19 - Brazil I Driver Profiles

VIRGIN

THE BAGMAN’S SAY

Timo Glock Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 18/03/1982 Poles: 0 Debut: Montreal, 2004 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2nd 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, 2007 GP2 Champion, 1st 2001 Formula BMW ADAC

Recent Grand Prix Form GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

ABU

16

17

17

18

15

DNF

20

18

DNF

19

Jerome D’Ambrosio may not have done much wrong in his rookie Formula One season, but the 26-year-old Belgian is facing the prospect of driving in his last Grand Prix this weekend.

With GP2 front-runner Charles Pic all but confirmed to join Timo Glock next season, there appears little place for D’Ambrosio on the 2012 grid.

While points are still a long way off for this team, D’Ambrosio will at least want to avoid being out-qualified by Daniel Ricciardo’s Hispania in Brazil, having been again trumped by the Australian on Saturday last time out.

Recent Monza Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

15

6

-

20

Jerome D’Ambrosio Nationality: Belgian Wins: 0 DoB: 27/12/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series, 1st 2007 International Formula Master, 1st 2003 FRenault Belgium

Recent Grand Prix Form GBR

GER

HUN

BEL

ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

IND

ABU

17

18

19

17

DNF

18

21

20

18

DNF

Recent Monza Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Marussia Virgin Racing Chassis: MVR-02 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Dinnington, UK Team nationality: Russian Team principal: John Booth Technical leader: TBA Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

31

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Round 19 - Brazil I Race Stats

Previous Brazilian Grand Prix Winners Year Driver 2010 Sebastian Vettel 2009 Mark Webber 2008 Felipe Massa 2007 Kimi Räikkönen 2006 Felipe Massa 2005 Juan Pablo Montoya 2004 Juan Pablo Montoya 2003 Giancarlo Fisichella 2002 Michael Schumacher 2001 David Coulthard 2000 Michael Schumacher 1999 Mika Häkkinen 1998 Mika Häkkinen 1997 Jacques Villeneuve 1996 Damon Hill 1995 Michael Schumacher 1994 Michael Schumacher 1993 Ayrton Senna 1992 Nigel Mansell 1991 Ayrton Senna 1990 Alain Prost 1989 Nigel Mansell 1988 Alain Prost 1987 Alain Prost 1986 Nelson Piquet 1985 Alain Prost 1984 Alain Prost 1983 Nelson Piquet 1982 Alain Prost 1981 Carlos Reutemann 1980 René Arnoux 1979 Jacques Laffite 1978 Carlos Reutemann 1977 Carlos Reutemann 1976 Niki Lauda 1975 Carlos Pace 1974 Emerson Fittipaldi 1973 Emerson Fittipaldi

Constructor Location Red Bull-Renault Interlagos Red Bull-Renault Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos McLaren-Mercedes Interlagos Williams-BMW Interlagos Jordan-Ford Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos McLaren-Mercedes Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos McLaren-Mercedes Interlagos McLaren-Mercedes Interlagos Williams-Renault Interlagos Williams-Renault Interlagos Benetton-Renault Interlagos Benetton-Ford Interlagos McLaren-Ford Interlagos Williams-Renault Interlagos McLaren-Honda Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos Ferrari Jacarepaguá McLaren-Honda Jacarepaguá McLaren-TAG Jacarepaguá Williams-Honda Jacarepaguá McLaren-TAG Jacarepaguá McLaren-TAG Jacarepaguá Brabham-BMW Jacarepaguá Renault Jacarepaguá Williams-Ford Jacarepaguá Renault Interlagos Ligier-Ford Interlagos Ferrari Jacarepaguá Ferrari Interlagos Ferrari Interlagos Brabham-Ford Interlagos McLaren-Ford Interlagos Lotus-Ford Interlagos

33

34

Round 19 - Brazil I Race Stats

Past Champions Year Driver Nat 2010 Sebastian Vettel GER 2009 Jenson Button GBR 2008 Lewis Hamilton GBR 2007 Kimi Räikkönen FIN 2006 Fernando Alonso ESP 2005 Fernando Alonso ESP 2004 Michael Schumacher GER 2003 Michael Schumacher GER 2002 Michael Schumacher GER 2001 Michael Schumacher GER 2000 Michael Schumacher GER 1999 Mika Häkkinen FIN 1998 Mika Häkkinen FIN 1997 Jacques Villeneuve CAN 1996 Damon Hill GBR 1995 Michael Schumacher GER 1994 Michael Schumacher GER 1993 Alain Prost FRA 1992 Nigel Mansell GBR 1991 Ayrton Senna BRA 1990 Ayrton Senna BRA 1989 Alain Prost FRA 1988 Ayrton Senna BRA 1987 Nelson Piquet BRA 1986 Alain Prost FRA 1985 Alain Prost FRA 1984 Niki Lauda AUT 1983 Nelson Piquet BRA 1982 Keke Rosberg FIN 1981 Nelson Piquet BRA

Constructor Red Bull Brawn McLaren Ferrari Renault Renault Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari McLaren McLaren Williams Williams Benetton Benetton Williams Williams McLaren McLaren McLaren McLaren Williams McLaren McLaren McLaren Brabham Williams Brabham

Wins 5 6 5 6 7 7 13 6 11 9 9 5 8 7 8 9 8 7 9 7 6 4 8 3 4 5 5 3 1 3

Poles 10 4 7 3 6 6 8 5 7 11 9 11 9 10 9 4 6 13 14 8 10 2 13 4 1 2 0 1 1 4

Points 256 95 98 110 134 133 148 93 144 123 108 76 100 81 97 102 92 99 108 96 78 76 90 73 72 73 72 59 44 50

35

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Round 19 - Brazil I Race Stats

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS World Drivers Championship NO Driver Nat

Car

Points

1

Sebastian Vettel

DEU

Red Bull

374

2

Jenson Button

GBR

McLaren

255

3

Fernando Alonso

ESP

Ferrari

245

4

Mark Webber

AUS

Red Bull

233

5

Lewis Hamilton

GBR

McLaren

227

6

Felipe Massa

BRA

Ferrari

108

7

Nico Rosberg

DEU

Mercedes

83

8

Michael Schumacher

DEU

Mercedes

76

9

Vitaly Petrov

RUS

Renault

36

10

Nick Heidfeld

DEU

Renault

34

11

Adrian Sutil

DEU

Force India

34

12

Kamui Kobayashi

JPN

Sauber

28

13

Jaime Alguersuari

ESP

Toro Rosso

26

14

Paul di Resta

GBR

Force India

23

15

Sébastien Buemi

CHE

Toro Rosso

15

16

Sergio Perez

MEX

Sauber

14

17

Rubens Barrichello

BRA

Williams

4

18

Bruno Senna

BRA

Renault

2

19

Pastor Maldonado

VEN

Williams

1

20

Pedro de la Rosa

ESP

Sauber

0

21

Jarno Trulli

ITA

Lotus

0

22

Heikki Kovalainen

FIN

Lotus

0

23

Vitantonio Liuzzi

ITA

HRT

0

24

Jérôme D’Ambrosio

BEL

Virgin

0

25

Timo Glock

DEU

Virgin

0

26

Narain Karthikeyan

IND

HRT

0

27

Daniel Ricciardo

AUS

HRT

0

28

Karun Chandhok

IND

Lotus

0

World Constructors Championship Pos

Constructor Engine

Points

1

Red Bull Racing

Renault

607

2

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Mercedes

482

3

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

Ferrari

353

4

Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team

Mercedes

159

5

Lotus Renault GP

Renault

72

6

Force India F1 Team

Mercedes

57

7

Sauber F1 Team

Ferrari

42

8

Scuderia Toro Rosso

Ferrari

41

9

AT&T Williams

Cosworth

5

10

Team Lotus

Renault

0

11

HRT F1 Team

Cosworth

0

12

Marussia Virgin Racing

Cosworth

0

37

38

There was no doubting Lewis Hamilton’s finishing position in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

39

40

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