The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship moves to Brazil for its penultimate round, with a thrilling race and title showdown anticipated.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is the new championship leader, with 231 points, having moved ahead of his four rivals by winning the compelling inaugural Korean Grand Prix two weeks ago. That race resulted in a no-score for former championship leader Mark Webber, of Red Bull Racing, who retired on lap 18 but remains in second place, with 220 points. His team-mate Sebastian Vettel also failed to score in Korea. Despite dominating the race he retired after an engine failure with less than 10 laps to go. He now lies fourth in the championship, with 206 points. McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button — who clinched the 2009 world title at this race last year — remain in the title chase: Hamilton lies third with 210 points, while Button, on 189, must finish at least second at Interlagos to have any hope of retaining his title. The constructors' title, meanwhile, has been opened up by the double DNF of Red Bull Racing — the team's first since the 2008 Australian Grand Prix. The team still leads, on 426 points, but McLaren have 399 points and Ferrari 374. With 129 Constructors' points still available, and a margin of only 52 points between Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, all three teams will be looking to score heavily in Brazil.
This year's Brazilian Grand Prix is the 38th edition of the race, which first joined the Formula One calendar in 1973. The relatively short Interlagos circuit is popular with drivers and is noted for its challenging layout and frequently bumpy surface. It has been the venue for many dramatic races over the years and fickle local weather conditions have on many occasions contributed to unpredictable results.
Time schedule in GMT
Fri 05 November 2010
Practice 1 12:00 - 13:30
Practice 2 16:00 - 17:30
Sat 06 November 2010
Practice 3 13:00 - 14:00
Qualifying 16:00
Sun 07 November 2010
Race 16:00