In a remarkable coincidence the championship was won at Interlagos by a British driver who finished fifth in the number 22 car powered by a Mercedes for the second year in a row. But this time it was Jenson Button and not Lewis Hamilton.
Read on for more facts and stats from the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Both championship winners have now been decided – for more stats on Jenson Button and Brawn winning the championships see here:
The focus of the drivers’ championship is now the battle for second place, with Barrichello just points ahead of Vettel.
In the constructors’ championship Red Bull are confirmed in second place but McLaren have taken third place off Ferrari by a single point.
Read more: Championship standings after Brazil
Mark Webber has entered the 71-strong club of multiple Grand Prix winners. His second victory gives him as many as Bill Vukovich, Jos?�?� Froil?�?�n Gonz?�?�lez, Maurice Trintignant, Wolfgang von Trips, Pedro Rodriguez, Jo Siffert, Peter Revson, Patrick Depailler, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Patrick Tambay and Elio de Angelis.
It was the fifth Grand Prix win for Red Bull. Webber set the fastest lap for the third time in his career and second race in a row.
Barrichello achieved the 14th pole position of his career, matching the tallies of Alberto Ascari, James Hunt and Ronnie Peterson. It was the first time he’d been on pole position since the same race five years ago.
Barrichello is now both the 18th-oldest and the third-youngest driver to take pole position at a Grand Prix. He was 22 years, three months and four days old when he scored his maiden pole at Spa-Francorchamps for Jordan in 1994. That was a record at the time, but since then two younger drivers have taken it off him: Fernando Alonso at Sepang in 2003, and then Sebastian Vettel at Monza last year.
Barrichello’s latest pole position came at the age of 37 years, four months and 25 days. The last older driver to set a pole position was Michael Schumacher in the 2006 French Grand Prix.
As Daniel pointed out this was the fourth consecutive pole position for a Brazilian driver at home. Of the last seven Brazilian Grands Prix a local driver has been on pole for six of them: Barrichello in 2003 and 2004, Massa from 2006-2008 and now Barrichello again. The foreign interloper was Alonso in 2005.
Robert Kubica was back on the podium for the first time since last year’s Japanese Grand Prix. He matched BMW’s best result of the year with second – only this time they got the full eight points for it (the other was Nick Heidfeld’s at Sepang).
Sebastien Buemi scored his first points since the Chinese Grand Prix, and matched his best career result with seventh. He qualified sixth, his best result to date.
Kamui Kobayashi made his F1 Grand Prix debut and became the 25th different driver to start a race this year.
Hamilton started 17th and finished third, gaining 14 places. That’s the second biggest improvement in a race this year – both Toyota drivers gained 16 places in the opening round at Melbourne (though it would have been 15 if Hamilton hadn’t been disqualified).
The world championship was decided at the Brazilian Grand Prix for the fifth year in a row.
If you’ve spotted any other interesting stats and facts from the Brazilian Grand Prix please share them with us in the comments.
2009 Brazilian Grand Prix
- Webber wins in style as Button races to title (Brazilian Grand Prix race report)
- Brazilian Grand Prix in pictures
- Jenson Button is F1 world champion
- Brawn win 2009 F1 constructors’ title
- Brazilian Grand Prix fastest laps analysis
- Brazilian Grand Prix – rate the race
- Championship standings after Brazil
- Brazilian Grand Prix result
Journeyer
19th October 2009, 10:54
Vettel is now 2 points ahead of Barrichello in the battle for 2nd.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th October 2009, 12:09
Indeed he is – swapped them around.
Journeyer
19th October 2009, 13:08
So why is Barrichello still ahead of Vettel in the article? ;)
mm
19th October 2009, 11:09
I believe even with the final race remaining this will be the most mechanically consistent WDC in at least a decade with only 56 retirements so far. (mind that includes crashes)
(this still works even if you do an average taking into account differences in numbers of cars on the grid)
Any stats on number of retirements of all time: worst/best season of all time? worst/best team? most lucky/unlucky driver? driver who crashes the least/most? or whatever you can find.
If Williams and Torro Rosso got a podium in Abu Dhabi I believe it will be the first time every team will have got a podium.
mm
19th October 2009, 11:10
^ that’s a little optimistic regarding Torro Rosso and Williams perhaps ;)
Gusto
19th October 2009, 12:03
La Canta Magnifico is probably number crunching as we speak, but Her site is down at the moment :-( . Which brings me to the point, Is this the first race to cause the F1 Fanatic server to do a HAL 9000.
GeeMac
19th October 2009, 13:56
I don’t think it’s too optomistic in respect of Williams. Rosberg has been solid this season and Nakajima has shown flashes of his talent, despite not scoring.
Maybe a bridge too far for Toro Rosso though.
Woffin
19th October 2009, 11:12
First time in the new qualifying system that P1 had the fastest time, P2 had the 2nd slowest etc all the way down till last place? Normally P11 to 15 are faster than the top 10 because of low fuel.
Chalky
19th October 2009, 11:19
Probably the last time too, as the rules change next year about fuel.
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 12:02
Don’t get your logic there Chalky. Surely next rule changes will mean Q3 will be the fastest session, because the drivers will be running on low fuel?
Charlie
19th October 2009, 11:27
Also, as well as winning it in car number 22, in Brazil, with a Mercedes engine, both Button and Hamilton won the championship by finishing fifth in the race.
And both their names end in “…ton”
Nitpicker
19th October 2009, 16:54
And they both have and ‘e’ and an ‘s’ in their first names. The similarities are astounding!
luigismen
19th October 2009, 20:03
Winning it to a brazilian title contender from Sao Paulo
inc0mmunicado
19th October 2009, 23:06
who spent time as a #2 for the Schu
Superbus
19th October 2009, 23:44
Yeah and also it’s the second Brazilian whose dreams are shattered by a British in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
sato113
20th October 2009, 0:41
yeah we got that…
Bullfrog
19th October 2009, 11:29
You could tell Kubica hadn’t been on a podium for a while – he forgot which side 2nd was on!
Guilherme Teixeira
19th October 2009, 11:30
Didn’t he featured in Q3 in the Chinese Grand Prix, qualifying 10th?
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 11:59
Yeah, he did
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th October 2009, 12:10
You’re right – have fixed it.
sato113
19th October 2009, 11:42
wrong!
TommyB
19th October 2009, 11:54
The first time any driver has been on the podium when he didn’t want too. Poor Lewis looked scared to death
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 12:03
Yeah, I thought that too. Mabye he just wasn’t happy with the tiny plastic trophy they gave him?
TommyB
19th October 2009, 11:57
The first time someone was on the podium when they didn’t want to be? Poor Lewis look scared to be up there
Gusto
19th October 2009, 12:14
I think the scared to death look was because of the abuse coming from the crowd, and considering a Police Helicopter was shot out the sky in Rio a couple of days previous He had reason too.
Nitpicker
19th October 2009, 16:57
It’s a well-known fact that most F1 spectators are also helicopter-shooting crims. I know I am.
Terry Fabulous
19th October 2009, 21:58
Nitpicker stop being a jerk, Lewis was subject to an enormous amount of hate last year when he won the title and was roundly booed this year.
And it is a well know fact that there is a powerful and dangerous criminal element running through the major cities of Brazil.
Gusto
19th October 2009, 22:08
lol, I was obviously implying that in a country with rampant gun crime, He goes and knocks the Brazilian driver off the podium a year after beating the local Hero to the WDC. He just wanted to get out off there double quick and not even accept a trophy that makes the Subbuteo FA Cup look good, sure you didn`t fall out off bed :-).
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 12:12
This was the 5th consecutive drivers championship to be decided at Interlagos. I always used to think of the Japanese GP as the traditional title decider, but now that it is being pushed earlier into the season it is losing that position. Does anyone know which race has held the most championship deciders?
I find it interesting that so many championships go down to the wire in F1. Obviously some have been blatantly manufactured by Bernie E and the FIA to try and create a spectacle. I know that MotoGP has only had one last race decider in about 20 years, so the statistics don’t quite add up.
Random Chimp
19th October 2009, 13:17
Wouldn’t be surprised if the powers that be tried that on this season. Button’s year has been very odd.
Nitpicker
19th October 2009, 17:02
Nothing to do with Brawn having a chassis advantage at the start of the season and the others slowly catching up? Nothing to do with the fact that Jenson tends to be super-fast when the car suits and then goes a bit off when car balance isn’t perfect? It doesn’t seem so odd at all really.
Daniel
19th October 2009, 12:18
A sad stat for Rubens: for the sixth time (2000-2004 – Schumacher, 2009 – Button), the world champion is his team-mate, and yet he never won a title of his own…
Daniel
19th October 2009, 12:20
A sad stat for Rubens Barrichello: for the sixth time (2000-2004 – Schumacher, 2009 – Button) the world champion is his team-mate, and yet he never won a title of his own…
stjoslin
19th October 2009, 12:42
Interlagos is the only track currently used in F1 to have been used continually since 1990 that has not had any changes in circuit configuration.
Gerhard Berger 1990 fastest lap in that race of a 1m 19.8s
Weber’s fastest lap from 2009 was a 1m 13.7 – some 6 seconds faster!
Suzuka and Monza have been changed slightly so do not qualify for such a distinguished accolade. :)
Derek
19th October 2009, 13:53
stjoslin
That is an interesting fact!! 6 secs is a lifetime in F1.
Nitpicker
19th October 2009, 17:03
So is 19 years of car development, smart guy.
Wesley
19th October 2009, 17:23
Wake up on the wrong side of the bed super smart guy?You are such a smart***
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 15:30
It would be interesting if someone could find the fastest laps from each year since 1990 and see which years have had the biggest difference in times. Not me though- I can’t be bothered!
But I can tell you the fastest lap in 2004 was 1m 11.4, and pole position was 1m 10.6, so the cars could go at least a couple of seconds quicker with the old regulations.
ajokay
19th October 2009, 16:10
1990 – 1:19.899 – Berger
1991 – 1:20.436 – Mansell
1992 – 1:19.490 – Patrese
1993 – 1:20.024 – M Schumacher
1994 – 1:18.455 – M Schumacher
1995 – 1:20.921 – M Schumacher
1996 – 1:21.547 – Hill
1997 – 1:18.397 – Villeneuve
1998 – 1:19.337 – Hakkinen
1999 – 1:18.448 – Hakkinen
2000 – 1:14.755 – M Schumacher
2001 – 1:15.693 – R Schumacher
2002 – 1:16.079 – Montoya
2003 – 1:22.032 – Barrichello
2004 – 1:11.473 – Montoya
2005 – 1:12.268 – Raikkonen
2006 – 1:12.162 – M Schumacher
2007 – 1:12.445 – Raikkonen
2008 – 1:13.736 – Massa
2009 – 1:13.733 – Webber
Mussolini's Pet Cat
19th October 2009, 17:24
I’m guessing Montoya’s time was when traction control and all other techno bits were working overtime.
Makes you appreciate what these guys are doing without TC this season.
Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 19:52
Ah, good work ajokay. Interesting that the fastest lap in 1998 was 8 seconds slower than in 2004- I don’t understand why they were slow in the late 90’s
Terry Fabulous
19th October 2009, 22:01
In the late 90’s they got rid of slick tyres (boo) and made the cars narrower.
Which slowed them down for a little but not for too long thank goodness.
Terry Fabulous
19th October 2009, 22:10
In the late 90s they narrowed the cars and introduced grooved tyres to slow them down.
Thankfully it didn’t work for too long!
luigismen
19th October 2009, 20:08
2003 pole lap R Barrichello
Ferrari – 1:10.646
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th October 2009, 23:29
I think Interlagos has had a few, though fairly subtle, changes. Ferradura was re-profiled a couple of years ago, and the track’s been re-surfaced. But it must be the most substantially similar circuit for 20 years, yes.
Red Andy
19th October 2009, 13:01
Heidfeld’s retirement means that his previous run of one consecutive finish comes to an end, only 40 short of his own record.
Damon
19th October 2009, 14:05
Hahahaha.
This record will stay for many generations.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th October 2009, 23:30
LOL nice one Andy :-)
Gusto
20th October 2009, 0:27
Bad luck always comes in Three`s.
UnicornF1
19th October 2009, 13:08
Also, both finished 5th!
UnicornF1
19th October 2009, 13:13
sorry for the multi-posts but my post wasn’t appearing for a mysterious reason. Then suddenly, all of my attempts appeared along with the final!
The only thing I changed at the final attempt was to put an “enter” after the bquote bbcode…
Sorry for that, once more
UnicornF1
19th October 2009, 13:16
for once more I can’t see the previous “sorry” message I wrote…
Keith, something strange is going on…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
19th October 2009, 23:31
The site’s been a bit slow because of the huge amount of traffic today and yesterday. There has been a note next to the comment form saying they may take a while to update (it’s gone now though).
RedBullRacer
19th October 2009, 13:16
Having both been on the podium at Hungary and Brazil, Hamilton and Webber are the only two drivers who have achieved both of the weirdest-looking trophies this season.
Towerade
19th October 2009, 13:41
Button is the first champion with more consecutive races with no leading laps: 9
Kosmit
19th October 2009, 14:01
When was the last time that both McLarens and a Ferrari failed to get to Q2?
David A
19th October 2009, 14:17
Possibly the longest winless run for a driver in his championship winning season with 10.
First time since Austria 2003 that a Ferrari has been set on fire in the pits!!
Ruudje
20th October 2009, 16:23
keke rosberg did 13 (was dq for 2, so maybe 11)
Bleu
19th October 2009, 14:32
– A team that Jenson Button has been driving has finished in each of top 9 positions in WCC in 10 years. 4th spot is only one where it has been twice. (Renault 2002, Honda 2006)
– STR has seven points, equalling Minardi’s tally in 2005 which is most for last-placed constructor I believe.
– Nico Rosberg retired so there is no driver who has finished every race of the season.
– Jarno Trulli “improved” his record of most first-lap retirements. This was also second time this year as he collided with Sutil on the first lap.
– Lewis Hamilton had never before scored a podium while starting outside top 5.
ukk
19th October 2009, 14:44
spotted by Norbert Haugh: a second time in a row a car with number 22 on it finishes p5 and its driver becomes a world champion :-) … all this – powered by Mercedes :-)
sumedh
19th October 2009, 15:33
Lewis Hamilton has now been on podium of each and every track used in Formula 1 since he has debuted. However, he might lose this record if he doesn’t finish Abu Dhabi on the podium.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for winning a race at least once on each and every track used during his career (with the exception of Turkey perhaps)
First time, we saw a car of an opponent team’s being helped by its team members (Heikki helped by Brawn). It seems Mercedez teams co-operate on track as well ;)
This race bears eerie resemblance to the 2005 Japanese GP. There Alonso, Schumi and Kimi started at the back finished at the front.
Here, Vettel, Button, Hamilton (and Kimi after his penalty) also started last and finished near the front.
Not often do you see so many drivers moving front.
sumedh
19th October 2009, 15:35
Not penalty, but a fiery pitstop
'
19th October 2009, 16:08
Michael Schumacher holds the record for winning a race at least once on each and every track used during his career (with the exception of Turkey perhaps)
No, there were several tracks which he raced on but never won on. Kyalami, Mexico City, Donnington and Adelaide in addition to Turkey.
Ed
19th October 2009, 16:30
Michael Schumacher holds the record for winning a race at least once on each and every track used during his career (with the exception of Turkey perhaps)
The record you are thinking of is actually that he won a race in every country that he competed in more than once. He only raced in Turkey, Mexico and South Africa once, and did not win there (but was 3rd, 3rd and 4th respectively in his only attempt)
DanThorn
19th October 2009, 17:11
Also, Hamilton has never been on the podium at the Nurburgring.
'
19th October 2009, 17:20
No, he raced twice in Turkey, in 2005 he wasn’t classified as he finished 26 laps down, and in 2006 he finished 3rd.
GB 2009
20th October 2009, 7:17
He also raced 4 or 5 times in Adelaide, 91-95 I believe. Best result was 2nd in 92 (I was there, so remember it!)
Ed
19th October 2009, 15:59
Further to Webber’s Fastest Lap, he now has an unassailable lead in the DHL Fastest Lap award. He could be levelled at Abu Dhabi though.
2009 Fastest Laps:
Webber – 3 (Hungary, Japan, Brazil)
Button – 2 (Malaysia, Turkey)
Barrichello – 2 (China, Spain)
Vettel – 2 (Britain, Belgium)
Alonso – 2 (Germany, Singapore)
Rosberg – 1 (Australia)
Trulli – 1 (Bahrain)
Massa – 1 (Monaco)
Glock – 1 (Europe)
Sutil – 1 (Italy)
Surely this must also be a record for most amount of drivers to set a fastest lap in a year?
Also, remarkably, Kimi Raikkonen, winner of the first two official Fastest Lap awards in 2007 and 2008 with a total of 16 fastest laps in those years, hasn’t been able to get any this year.
Nitpicker
19th October 2009, 17:09
It’s a tough job when you’re getting electrocuted and burnt to a crisp.
luigismen
19th October 2009, 20:22
No one of the actual ferrari and mclaren drivers are on that list (Ham, Kov, Rai, Fis)
varun
19th October 2009, 22:44
massa is on the list.
ajokay
19th October 2009, 16:15
Nakajima continues his abysmal record of being the only driver to have participated in all rounds of the 2009 championship and yet not score a single point.
Can he ace it in Aboo Dabby? I’m guessing yes.
mm
19th October 2009, 16:23
British drivers can hold their heads high, they now hold the top two spots for most completed seasons before winning the WDC…
“Victory at all costs… victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.” (Churchill)
The only other driver that has completed more seasons before winning a WDC is Nigel Mansell (12th season!), Jenson took a mere 10 attempts.
IF – Barrichello had won the WDC it would have been a massive new record at 17th time lucky!
sato113
20th October 2009, 0:51
here here!
Becken
19th October 2009, 16:36
Again, we can see here what a fantastic race have made Lewis Hamilton with his poor car.
For comparison, Vettel had a Rocket in his hand at Interlagos and Lewis, who started the race behind him, changed his strategy and raced his first stint much heavier than the german and, even so, finish the race in front of him — who has a car much better than the MP4/24…
I think, Keith, you should write a post analyzing how Vettel´s inability to overtake could have compromised his championship…
adaptalis
19th October 2009, 16:59
To be fair, Vettel’s 2nd stint was held up by none other than the newly crowned World Champion. Come to think of it, Button was 2 cars in front of Vettel in the first stint too, altogether held up by Kobayashi. Even Hamilton caught up with Heidfeld at the back of the new Toyota Train(New stat, someone took over Trulli in driving a train)
mm
19th October 2009, 18:05
I think people seem to forget at the start of the season the RedBull was also on fire not just the Brawn – on two occasions Vettel out qualified Button, but Button came through to win – it was these precious points and good drives that has given him the edge and maybe even the championship. If Vettel had beaten button in both these races, button would only be on 85(-4) and Vettel would be on 80 (+6).
Also on both these occasion Button beat Vettel by overtaking Vettel.
Vettel is a fast driver maybe faster than Button (but that alone does not make a world champion), Buttons experience and skill in many situation have won him the WDC, and Vettels mistakes have cost him it. The RedBull has been more than capable of winning the WDC and Constructors this year.
Nik
19th October 2009, 16:47
And also, the outgoing world champion finished third last year too – who has also driven for McLaren ;)
Bleu
19th October 2009, 17:28
Forgot something:
– Button is first English champion in odd year
– This is first time as English drivers have had back-to-back championships
– First season since 1999 when there has been five drivers winning multiple races. A record is six from 1981, while five has been achieved also in 1974, 1982, 1985 and 1987.
Harv's
19th October 2009, 22:43
wrong, i think it was hill and clarke back in the 60’s had back to back championships, britian now has 14 world championships, and a massive 28 constructors championships!.
……. I might be a few off.
Dr Unken
20th October 2009, 9:55
Harv’s Bleu is correct. Hill and Clark did have back to back championships but Clark was Scottish not English. You’re in good company though, the BBC keep cocking up the British/English consecutive championships thing as well!
Steph90
19th October 2009, 18:13
Frist time a Ferrari hasn’t won in Brazil since when 05?
DMW
19th October 2009, 18:32
Brawn has won a WCC with three teams now as as technical or director principal.
Anyway, Brawn avoids being tied by Newey for F1 technical-directorship WCCs, extending his lead over Adrian Newey to 9-7.
However, this is not counting other formulae, where Brawn bagged a Group C drivers crown for the XJR-14 (best and best-looking race car ever, sorry MP4-19B). Newey also has two IMSA GTP titles, and an IndyCar title with a March by his pen. Overall they are roughly equal at a staggering 10 major formulae championship designs total apiece.
Steph90
19th October 2009, 19:37
I posted this before but it musn’t have shown up (this laptop…) anyway First time since 05 I think that a Ferrari hasn’t won.
steph90
19th October 2009, 19:50
Sorry for double post again I know have a better more reliable computer, so if it is possible could my near duplicate post be deleted please Keith? Sory for inconvience
:(Ned Flanders
19th October 2009, 19:59
Second time this season that Adrian Sutil has taken a big shortcut and been wiped out on rejoining the track. But the first time that he nearly got chinned for it!
James G
19th October 2009, 21:02
It is the 5th time (after 1963, 64, 65 and 69) that a British driver has won the WDC after another British driver. Yet surprisingly, no British driver has ever won 2 championships in a row.
Jenson Button is the 19th World Champion whose first name starts with a ‘J’.
Trivia quiz: A driver whose first name begins with J has won the WDC in every decade except one. Which one?
David A
19th October 2009, 21:38
The ’80’s, with championships won by men called Alan, Nelson, Keke, Niki, Alain and Ayrton.
Vincent
19th October 2009, 21:08
As I stated in the Brazilian Race Report article. I think Barrichello holds and increased his record of number of times being the team mate of the driver that ultimately took the championship in the end. – 6 times now.
Vincent
19th October 2009, 21:11
As I stated in the brazilian race report article, I think Barrichello holds and increased his record of number of years he was team mate to the driver that ultimately took the championship. 6 times as of yesterday.
Prisoner Monkeys
20th October 2009, 4:10
Another piece of trivia: Jenson Button has only driven one chassis this season, and has driven it in every session of every race (Rubens Barrichello acquired a new car in Singapore). Adrian Sutil is the only other driver to have stayed with the one chassis, but it has been rebuilt so many times that most of it is probably new.
The short version of it is this: Jenson Button won the World Championship in the oldest car on the grid.
Anthony
20th October 2009, 4:47
Another little fact.
2009 was the 4th year in a row that the winner of the season opener was crowned world champ in Brazil
2006 – Alonso (Bahrain)
2007 – Raikonnen (Australia)
2008 – Hamilton (Australia)
2009 – Button (Australia)
mattclinch
20th October 2009, 12:48
first time that the drivers and constructors titles have been won by a team where neither of the drivers have a single driver error DNF to their name, and only 1 mechanical DNF and 1 ‘speared off by a newbie’ DNF between them?
Gusto
20th October 2009, 14:46
The more I watch the Sutil/Trulli incident the more I think that Trulli must be thinking why didn`t I put my brain in gear before letting my mouth go, Sutil is on the racing line and does nothing wrong, if anything He should of run up to Trulli and had a go at Him. As for Koby He should of got a white/black flag for He`s driving if not a black flag, He weaves in front of Button then pushes Nak onto the curb the lap before the collision in the Senna S and finally does such a dangerous crash causing weave that Nak is lucky to walk away from it. But you got to admire He`s drive and will surely be in next years Championship.
Gusto
20th October 2009, 14:51
???? This should of gone in the Koby/Sutil crash section DOH…..
Bleu
20th October 2009, 19:48
Another one:
Rubens Barrichello became third driver in the F1 history to finish in each of top 8 positions during the season. Fernando Alonso did it in 2003 and Robert Kubica in 2008.
Jenson Button has also chance to do it in Abu Dhabi, if he finishes 4th.
Hugo Bourgeois
20th October 2009, 21:51
First pit stop since… that has been completed by another team? (Kovalainen “fuel hose” pitstop)
Mario Bang
22nd October 2009, 17:46
Great race but Truli was barking up the wrong tree; the inside lien is the overtaling one there as Jenson showed a few laps later!