Nico Rosberg produced a dominant display to record a lights-to-flag victory over Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
For the second race in succession the German controlled proceedings as the two Mercedes drivers went head-to head for the spoils at Interlagos.
Starting from pole Rosberg managed to fend off Hamilton at the start which gave him the platform to secure his 13th victory of his Formula 1 career.
Rosberg’s victory also secured second spot in the championship standings.
Hamilton piled the pressure on his team-mate on several occasions during the race as the Mercedes duo worked a three stop strategy, but ultimately was unable to challenge for the lead.
The newly crowned world champion was forced to settle for second with the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel completing the podium.
While the Mercedes pair scampered into the distance, the battle for the remaining podium was fought between the two Ferraris.
Vettel had the measure of his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen throughout with the German edging the Finn at the chequered flag.
A strong start helped Valtteri Bottas convert his seventh place grid slot to a fifth place finish ahead of the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg, who matched his best result of the season in sixth.
The Red Bull of Daniil Kvyat managed to come home in seventh with the sister Williams of Felipe Massa eighth, although the Brazilian faced a post race investigation regarding tyre temperatures prior to the start of the race.
Lotus’ Romain Grosjean and Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen produced fighting drives to complete the top 10.
Daniel Ricciardo, utilising an upgraded Renault engine, showcased his overtaking skills as he powered from 19th to finish 12th, behind the two stopping Lotus of Pastor Maldonado.
McLaren managed to get both its cars to the finish with Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso finishing in 15th and 16th respectively.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz was the only retirement from the race when his Toro Rosso came to a halt on the opening lap.
*Massa was disqualified from eighth position following a post race FIA investigation.
Result: Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix (revised)
Position | Driver | Team | Laps | Gap |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 71 | |
2 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 71 | +7.756s |
3 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 71 | +14.244s |
4 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 71 | +47.543s |
5 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams/Mercedes | 70 | +1 Lap |
6 | Nico Hülkenberg | Force India/Mercedes | 70 | +1 Lap |
7 | Daniil Kvyat | Red Bull/Renault | 70 | +1 Lap |
8 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus/Mercedes | 70 | +1 Lap |
9 | Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso/Renault | 70 | +1 Lap |
10 | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus/Mercedes | 70 | +1 Lap |
11 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull/Renault | 70 | +1 Lap |
12 | Sergio Pérez | Force India/Mercedes | 70 | +1 Lap |
13 | Felipe Nasr | Sauber/Ferrari | 70 | +1 Lap |
14 | Jenson Button | McLaren/Honda | 70 | +1 Lap |
15 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren/Honda | 70 | +1 Lap |
16 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber/Ferrari | 69 | +2 Laps |
17 | Will Stevens | Marussia/Ferrari | 67 | +4 Laps |
18 | Alexander Rossi | Marussia/Ferrari | 67 | +4 Laps |
DNF | Carlos Sainz | Toro Rosso/Renault | 0 | Retirement |
DSQ | Felipe Massa | Williams/Mercedes |
Championship Standings
Pos | Driver | Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Lewis Hamilton | 363 |
2 | Nico Rosberg | 297 |
3 | Sebastian Vettel | 266 |
4 | Valtteri Bottas | 136 |
5 | Kimi Raikkonen | 135 |
6 | Felipe Massa | 117 |
7 | Daniil Kvyat | 94 |
8 | Daniel Ricciardo | 84 |
9 | Sergio Perez | 68 |
10 | Nico Hulkenberg | 52 |
11 | Max Verstappen | 48 |
12 | Romain Grosjean | 47 |
13 | Felipe Nasr | 27 |
14 | Pastor Maldonado | 26 |
15 | Carlos Sainz | 18 |
16 | Jenson Button | 16 |
17 | Fernando Alonso | 11 |
18 | Marcus Ericsson | 9 |
19 | Roberto Merhi | 0 |
20 | Alexander Rossi | 0 |
21 | Will Stevens | 0 |