Brazil Grand Prix (2014): RESULT

Nico Rosberg is on pole for the Brazilian Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton alongside, but can the Williams of Massa and Bottas beat the Mercedes?

It’s business as usual at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with a Mercedes front row lock-out and the prospect of another Mercedes one-two in the race as Hamilton and Rosberg battle for the drivers title.

But, unlike last week’s US Grand Prix, it was Rosberg in front from start to finish – although it could have been quite different.

Rosberg led from the start, but when he came in for his second pit stop, with Hamilton less than two seconds behind, Hamilton stayed out and put in a cracking lap to close the gap.

But Mercedes thought he needed one more to clear Rosberg in the pits but Hamilton managed to push too hard, spun off on turn four and lost more than his quick laps had gained.

After his pit stop, Hamilton was seven seconds behind Rosberg and, despite closing the gap, never threatened Rosberg in any real way.

Behind the Mercedes duo it was Williams Felipe Massa taking third spot – despite a five second stop-go penalty for speeding in the pit lane and managing to pull in to McLaren’s pits on his last stop – and Jenson Button proved, once again, he’s too good to be lost to F1 with a good fourth place.

Sebastian Vettel took fifth place followed by Alonso and Raikkonen in the Ferraris, Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India in eighth, Kevin Magnussen well behind Jenson Button again in ninth and Bottas – after two poor pit stops – in the final points place.

The Brazilian Grand Prix win by Rosberg leaves Hamilton needing to finish second in Abu Dhabi if Rosberg wins to take the drivers title.