Brazil Grand Prix (2010) RESULT

Brazil Grand Prix 2010 - the penultimate race of the season

Not quite a Red Bull lock-out on the grid in Brazil, with Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg grabbing his first pole in front of the Red Bulls. But McLaren seem out of contention. Another Red Bull victory to come?

No question, Interlagos 2010 was a Red Bull success story. Yes, they’ve made things more difficult for themselves by not having team orders, but a one-two from Vettel and Webber – with Vettel ahead – ties up the constructors world championship in Red Bull’s favour, but leaves the drivers’ championship open.

If Red Bull had taken a leaf out of the Ferrari book of driver management – or frankly any other experienced team at this stage of the championship – they would have had Vettel give way to Webber and left themselves at the top of the drivers championship just a point behind third place Alonso going in to the last race.

But Red Bull has made it clear there will be no team orders. All very noble, if a little naive. So once Hulkenberg was despatched at the start of the race we effectively had a Vettel-Webber procession to the end.

Behind the leading three came the McLarens of Hamilton and Button, with Hamilton not really making a mark on the race and Jenson jumping six places. But their championship hopes are dashed for 2010 – well, Hamilton has a theoretical chance – which has had far more to do with the McLaren being a heartbeat behind the Red Bulls and Ferrari on pace this season than any real driver failings from the world champion duo.

So we now go to Abu Dhabi next weekend for the final drivers championship deciding – race of the year. Let’s just hope that Red Bull stick a collar on Vettel and allow Webber the opportunity to take the driver’s championship.

He certainly deserves it.