Brazilian Grand Prix 2014: Live Lap-by-Lap Updates, Highlights, Report and More
Nico Rosberg turned in his most complete performance of the season in Sao Paulo on Sunday to win the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of his teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton.
Rosberg qualified on pole andโalthough Hamilton kept the race closeโwas never really challenged for the lead. Rosberg's fifth win of the season leaves him 17 points behind Hamilton with one race remaining. The winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in two weeks will receive 50 points, as the race is worth double.
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa thrilled Brazilian fans by taking third place at his home race. The result matches Massa's best finish of the season and is the second time in the last three seasons he has finished third at Interlagos.
Jenson Button finished a strong fourth for a McLaren team that has showed improved pace at recent races. His teammate, Kevin Magnussen was also in the points, finishing ninth. The result increases the gap between McLaren and Force India for fifth place in the constructors' standings to 34 points.
The deciding moment of the race came on Lap 29. Hamilton was pushing hard after Rosberg had pitted, but he spun at Turn 4, eliminating any chance of passing his teammate in that round of pit stops. Although Hamilton was able to close with half-a-second of Rosberg in the closing stages, he never made a serious passing attempt.
With Hamilton's second-place, though, Rosberg must now win in Abu Dhabi and hope his rival finishes third or lower. Hamilton, meanwhile, can clinch the title with a first- or second-place finish, no matter what Rosberg does.
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