Brazil determines the champions and illuminates the 2010 season

Jean Jacques Goldman sang ‘The Last Will Be First’ and such is the result of the last Brazilian GP. The drivers vying for victory after eventful qualifications all missed the mark. Adrian Sutil, Nico Rosberg, Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Räikkönen, and Jarno Trulli paid the price. Apart from the young Rosberg who retired due to mechanical issues, all bit the dust… or rather the damp grass of São Paulo.

The explosive start by Kimi Räikkönen, the only driver with KERS in the top 6 qualifiers, was undoubtedly the source of all the excitement that followed the start. Kimi Räikkönen, attacking Adrian Sutil at the first corner, put the German driver on the defensive who, busy countering Iceman’s move, forgot about Trulli on his right. The Italian, after a swerve onto the grass due to an involuntary move by Sutil that forced him to put both right wheels on the grass, couldn’t avoid going off the track, taking the German driver’s Force India with him. The disappointment was so great for the Italian that he almost came to blows with Sutil, who was truly sorry for causing Trulli to go off the track.

Räikkönen, after setting the track on fire, returned to the pit following the destruction of his front wing. But he, much to his misfortune this time, experienced the madness of Kovalainen who, after running over one of his mechanics, set the pit ablaze. The McLaren driver took the refueling hose with him, spilling all the fuel onto the pit lane. Räikkönen drove over the fuel spread on the tarmac, and the heat from his exhaust briefly ignited his car. Unfazed, Räikkönen let go of his steering wheel for barely three seconds and returned to the track as if nothing had happened, trailing at the back. Yet, he still finished the GP in sixth place, once again demonstrating the full extent of his talent.

In all these events, the most unfortunate remains Barrichello. Starting in the lead thanks to an excellent start, the Brazilian collapsed during the race, even passing through the pits a third time due to a puncture caused by Lewis Hamilton’s overtaking just a few laps from the finish. In attempting to counter the Briton’s attack, Barrichello squeezed Hamilton against the wall on the long starting straight, touching his rear left tire against Lewis’s front wing. Despite losing a few pieces of carbon, the Briton finished the race on the podium, after starting, believe it or not, from 18th place. A performance worthy of note.

And who are the winners in this matter? First of all, Button of course, who takes the prize by winning the title, despite the constant pressure of recent days. Thus, he puts an end to the petty words of his detractors who suggested that the Englishman would crack.

Webber then, the race winner, sends a strong message to Red Bull Racing, which is considering replacing him with Kimi Räikkönen. He thus demonstrates the full extent of his talent by being on par throughout the season with his young teammate, Vettel, considered a star in the making.

Kubica, who reaffirmed Renault’s confidence in their choice to recruit him for 2010. Kobayashi, who likely scored significant points in securing his seat with Toyota for the 2010 season. Hamilton, who achieved an unexpected podium finish. And finally, the Motors Inside fans who appreciated the spectacle.