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Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Lewis Hamilton top in Brazilian Grand Prix second practice
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in at Interlagos
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37953887
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The Brazilian Grand Prix is live across the BBC Sport website and radio 5 live
Lewis Hamilton topped both Friday practice sessions at the start of a Brazilian Grand Prix weekend that is critical to his title hopes this year.
He must beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg because the German will clinch the championship if he wins on Sunday.
Hamilton was 0.03 seconds quicker than Rosberg over one flying lap and also had a clear advantage on longer runs.
Mercedes' closest rivals were the Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa.
Something on your mind, Nico? Which one of these men has the possibility of winning a world title this Sunday?
Final practice (13:00 GMT) and qualifying (16:00) are live on the BBC Sport website and radio 5 live sports extra.
Finn Bottas was 0.39secs behind Hamilton and 0.028secs ahead of his team-mate, who is racing in his home grand prix for the last time having announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Williams' unexpected performance pushed the Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen down to fifth and sixth places, half a second behind the Mercedes.
The Red Bulls are expected to be Mercedes' closest rivals in the race.
Rain could spice things up
Friday practice was held in hot and sunny conditions, but cooler weather is predicted for the weekend and rain is forecast for race day, in which conditions Red Bull would be expected to challenge Mercedes.
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hashtag 'Places Alonso would rather be'.
Alonso played up to the incident on Friday, briefly operating the camera he was sat behind and then waving to another camera.
Alonso provided a comedy moment in Brazil practice last year too, sunbathing after his McLaren broke down
Road rage?
Meanwhile, Raikkonen and Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz have been called to see the stewards after an on-track incident during the session.
They were seen driving slowly alongside each other, perhaps because one felt the other had blocked him, before Raikkonen accelerated around the outside of Sainz before cutting across him to enter the pits at the end of the lap.
They have been called under article 27.5 of the sporting regulations which says: "At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane."
Swami
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in at Interlagos
- 35 minutes ago
- From the section Formula 1
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37953887
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The Brazilian Grand Prix is live across the BBC Sport website and radio 5 live
Lewis Hamilton topped both Friday practice sessions at the start of a Brazilian Grand Prix weekend that is critical to his title hopes this year.
He must beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg because the German will clinch the championship if he wins on Sunday.
Hamilton was 0.03 seconds quicker than Rosberg over one flying lap and also had a clear advantage on longer runs.
Mercedes' closest rivals were the Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa.
Something on your mind, Nico? Which one of these men has the possibility of winning a world title this Sunday?
Final practice (13:00 GMT) and qualifying (16:00) are live on the BBC Sport website and radio 5 live sports extra.
Finn Bottas was 0.39secs behind Hamilton and 0.028secs ahead of his team-mate, who is racing in his home grand prix for the last time having announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Williams' unexpected performance pushed the Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen down to fifth and sixth places, half a second behind the Mercedes.
The Red Bulls are expected to be Mercedes' closest rivals in the race.
Rain could spice things up
Friday practice was held in hot and sunny conditions, but cooler weather is predicted for the weekend and rain is forecast for race day, in which conditions Red Bull would be expected to challenge Mercedes.
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hashtag 'Places Alonso would rather be'.
Alonso played up to the incident on Friday, briefly operating the camera he was sat behind and then waving to another camera.
Alonso provided a comedy moment in Brazil practice last year too, sunbathing after his McLaren broke down
Road rage?
Meanwhile, Raikkonen and Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz have been called to see the stewards after an on-track incident during the session.
They were seen driving slowly alongside each other, perhaps because one felt the other had blocked him, before Raikkonen accelerated around the outside of Sainz before cutting across him to enter the pits at the end of the lap.
They have been called under article 27.5 of the sporting regulations which says: "At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane."
Swami
Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Lewis Hamilton on pole at Brazilian GP, Nico Rosberg second
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Interlagos
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37962979
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Lewis Hamilton narrowly beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to what could be a crucial pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who must stop Rosberg winning to take the title fight to the final race of the season, was 0.102 seconds quicker in a tense battle.
Rosberg heads into the race with a 19-point advantage and will be crowned champion if he gains seven points or more on Hamilton.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was third.
The Finn was 0.668secs behind Hamilton and ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo completed the top six.
Sunday's race is live at 16:00 GMT on the BBC Sport website and Radio 5 live.
Even Brazil has drizzle, but rain is expected to intensify for the race on Sunday
'I had him covered'
The rain that had threatened throughout the day held off for qualifying, with only occasional light drizzle that did not affect the track.
But heavier and more persistent rain is predicted in Sao Paulo for the race on Sunday, which could bring the Red Bulls and Ferraris into play in the battle between the Mercedes drivers.
Something on your mind, Nico? Which one of these men can win a world title on Sunday?
Hamilton looked on top form throughout qualifying, topping both the first and second sessions and leading by 0.162secs after the first runs in the top 10 shootout.
Both men improved on their final runs but Hamilton had just enough to hold off the German.
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Brazilian Grand Prix 'throbs with passion'
Hamilton said he "did not really mind" if rained, adding: "I am ready for anything."
Hamilton now has two poles in Brazil - same as Britons Damon Hill and James Hunt (pictured taking it a little easier than perhaps he should have been). Source: Forix
Rosberg said: "It was an exciting qualifying, very close, Lewis was just marginally quicker in the end. My lap was very good as well, but as we have seen this year, pole is not always the guy who wins the race."
Impressive from the old guard
Mercedes were in a different league from the rest as Raikkonen edged a tight battle for third between the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers with a strong final lap.
The Finn was just 0.081secs quicker than Verstappen, with Vettel a further 0.01secs adrift and Ricciardo 0.045secs behind him.
That's three poles now for Mercedes - same as Renault, here enjoying their first with Jean-Pierre Jabouille in 1980. Source: Forix
Haas driver Romain Grosjean took an impressive seventh, ahead of the Force Indias of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, who leapfrogged McLaren's Fernando Alonso with their final laps.
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who have announced this week they are retaining him for 2017.
The Englishman qualified 16th, ahead of team-mate Kevin Magnussen, who was 18th, for the third time in four races.
Swami
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Interlagos
- 4 hours ago
- From the section Formula 1
- 46
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Lewis Hamilton narrowly beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to what could be a crucial pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who must stop Rosberg winning to take the title fight to the final race of the season, was 0.102 seconds quicker in a tense battle.
Rosberg heads into the race with a 19-point advantage and will be crowned champion if he gains seven points or more on Hamilton.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was third.
The Finn was 0.668secs behind Hamilton and ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo completed the top six.
Sunday's race is live at 16:00 GMT on the BBC Sport website and Radio 5 live.
Even Brazil has drizzle, but rain is expected to intensify for the race on Sunday
'I had him covered'
The rain that had threatened throughout the day held off for qualifying, with only occasional light drizzle that did not affect the track.
But heavier and more persistent rain is predicted in Sao Paulo for the race on Sunday, which could bring the Red Bulls and Ferraris into play in the battle between the Mercedes drivers.
Something on your mind, Nico? Which one of these men can win a world title on Sunday?
Hamilton looked on top form throughout qualifying, topping both the first and second sessions and leading by 0.162secs after the first runs in the top 10 shootout.
Both men improved on their final runs but Hamilton had just enough to hold off the German.
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Brazilian Grand Prix 'throbs with passion'
Hamilton said he "did not really mind" if rained, adding: "I am ready for anything."
Hamilton now has two poles in Brazil - same as Britons Damon Hill and James Hunt (pictured taking it a little easier than perhaps he should have been). Source: Forix
Rosberg said: "It was an exciting qualifying, very close, Lewis was just marginally quicker in the end. My lap was very good as well, but as we have seen this year, pole is not always the guy who wins the race."
Impressive from the old guard
Mercedes were in a different league from the rest as Raikkonen edged a tight battle for third between the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers with a strong final lap.
The Finn was just 0.081secs quicker than Verstappen, with Vettel a further 0.01secs adrift and Ricciardo 0.045secs behind him.
That's three poles now for Mercedes - same as Renault, here enjoying their first with Jean-Pierre Jabouille in 1980. Source: Forix
Haas driver Romain Grosjean took an impressive seventh, ahead of the Force Indias of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, who leapfrogged McLaren's Fernando Alonso with their final laps.
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who have announced this week they are retaining him for 2017.
The Englishman qualified 16th, ahead of team-mate Kevin Magnussen, who was 18th, for the third time in four races.
Swami
Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Lewis Hamilton keeps F1 title race alive with Brazilian Grand Prix win
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Interlagos
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37968831
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Lewis Hamilton produced a masterful performance to win a wet, chaotic, crash-strewn Brazilian Grand Prix and take the title fight to the final race.
His ninth win of 2016 came in a race with several crashes, which was stopped twice and had five safety cars.
The victory cut the lead of his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who finished second, to 12 points.
Untouchable. Un-seeable as well. Hamilton led from start to finish
Rosberg will win the championship if he finishes third in Abu Dhabi on 27 November even if Hamilton wins.
Hamilton Supreme, Verstappen incredible
As one of the most dramatic races for years unfolded, Hamilton was supreme at the front in treacherous conditions, lapping consistently faster than anyone.
After each re-start Hamilton cruised easily away from Rosberg - building at one stage an 18-second lead in 14 laps before another safety car cut his lead to nothing.
Phew... Raikkonen suffered a scary-looking crash on the start-finish straight as other cars just managed to avoid his Ferrari as it bounced off the walls
His closest rival for much of the race was Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who passed Rosberg around the outside of Turn Three on lap 32 on one of several re-starts after a safety car period.
Had Red Bull not gambled on fitting intermediate tyres to Verstappen's car on lap 43, the Dutchman would almost certainly have split the Mercedes drivers.
That would have left Rosberg needing a second place in Abu Dhabi, but the decision backfired when it became clear during a subsequent safety car period caused when Felipe Massa crashed on the pit straight on lap 48 that he needed to switch back to the intermediates.
That left Verstappen down in 13th place but he set about recovering lost ground with incredible skill and gusto and fought up to pass Force India's Sergio Perez to take third into the fast Mergulho corner with two laps to go.
"Sooooo, you been on holiday this year?" Niki Lauda strikes up the small talk with ex-Guns'N'Roses guitarist Slash
It was without question the most outstanding drive of an already stellar career that started only last year.
And it also included an almost unbelievable moment when Verstappen had a half-spin on the straight but recovered the car and got going again without losing second place to Rosberg.
How to make an epic race
The race started under the safety car, and when it released the field after eight laps, Hamilton built a three-second lead in five laps before a crash by Sauber's Marcus Ericsson on the pit straight brought the safety car back out.
Six laps later there was a re-start, only for Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari to suffer a frightening-looking crash on the straight just after the start line, prompting race director Charlie Whiting to stop the race for the first time.
How wet was it? Grosjean crashed before the race even began
Thirty-five minutes later, the race started again under the safety car, only to be stopped again seven laps later when conditions were deemed too dangerous.
After another 25-minute delay, it was restarted, the safety car pulling in after three laps and there were 16 laps of racing before Massa's crash.
That led to another safety car period, this time for seven laps, before the race was restarted and ran to the end.
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Brazilian Grand Prix results
...and the teams as he walked back to the pits in tears...
...including former team Ferrari
"Look what I've got!"
The race took place in torrential conditions
Swami
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Interlagos
- 18 minutes ago
- From the section Formula 1
Copy this link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37968831
Read more about sharing.
Lewis Hamilton produced a masterful performance to win a wet, chaotic, crash-strewn Brazilian Grand Prix and take the title fight to the final race.
His ninth win of 2016 came in a race with several crashes, which was stopped twice and had five safety cars.
The victory cut the lead of his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who finished second, to 12 points.
Untouchable. Un-seeable as well. Hamilton led from start to finish
Rosberg will win the championship if he finishes third in Abu Dhabi on 27 November even if Hamilton wins.
Hamilton Supreme, Verstappen incredible
As one of the most dramatic races for years unfolded, Hamilton was supreme at the front in treacherous conditions, lapping consistently faster than anyone.
After each re-start Hamilton cruised easily away from Rosberg - building at one stage an 18-second lead in 14 laps before another safety car cut his lead to nothing.
Phew... Raikkonen suffered a scary-looking crash on the start-finish straight as other cars just managed to avoid his Ferrari as it bounced off the walls
His closest rival for much of the race was Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who passed Rosberg around the outside of Turn Three on lap 32 on one of several re-starts after a safety car period.
Had Red Bull not gambled on fitting intermediate tyres to Verstappen's car on lap 43, the Dutchman would almost certainly have split the Mercedes drivers.
That would have left Rosberg needing a second place in Abu Dhabi, but the decision backfired when it became clear during a subsequent safety car period caused when Felipe Massa crashed on the pit straight on lap 48 that he needed to switch back to the intermediates.
That left Verstappen down in 13th place but he set about recovering lost ground with incredible skill and gusto and fought up to pass Force India's Sergio Perez to take third into the fast Mergulho corner with two laps to go.
"Sooooo, you been on holiday this year?" Niki Lauda strikes up the small talk with ex-Guns'N'Roses guitarist Slash
It was without question the most outstanding drive of an already stellar career that started only last year.
And it also included an almost unbelievable moment when Verstappen had a half-spin on the straight but recovered the car and got going again without losing second place to Rosberg.
How to make an epic race
The race started under the safety car, and when it released the field after eight laps, Hamilton built a three-second lead in five laps before a crash by Sauber's Marcus Ericsson on the pit straight brought the safety car back out.
Six laps later there was a re-start, only for Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari to suffer a frightening-looking crash on the straight just after the start line, prompting race director Charlie Whiting to stop the race for the first time.
How wet was it? Grosjean crashed before the race even began
Thirty-five minutes later, the race started again under the safety car, only to be stopped again seven laps later when conditions were deemed too dangerous.
After another 25-minute delay, it was restarted, the safety car pulling in after three laps and there were 16 laps of racing before Massa's crash.
That led to another safety car period, this time for seven laps, before the race was restarted and ran to the end.
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Brazilian Grand Prix results
...and the teams as he walked back to the pits in tears...
...including former team Ferrari
"Look what I've got!"
The race took place in torrential conditions
Swami