2005 Brazilian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Alonso leads Räikkönen by 25 points and Schumacher by 56 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Renault lead McLaren by six points and Ferrari by 62 points. With three races remaining, the title fight is down to Alonso and Räikkönen.

Previous race

Räikkönen won Belgium, with Alonso second and Button third. Montoya was leading when Pizzonia’s Williams hit him shortly before the finish. Fisichella crashed out at Eau Rouge on lap 11, bringing out the safety car. Sato and Schumacher both retired after Sato hit the Ferrari from behind on lap 14; the stewards ruled Sato the cause, dropping him ten places on the grid here.

Championship permutations

A third-place finish is enough for Alonso to win his first world championship title. Should Alonso finish third and Räikkönen not win, Räikkönen would no longer have a mathematical chance at the title even with two races remaining.

Between-race developments

Williams driver Nick Heidfeld, who missed Monza after a test accident and was due to return here, is unable to race after injuring his shoulder in a cycling accident in Switzerland. Antônio Pizzonia continues in his place for the remainder of the season.

Penalties

Takuma Sato carries a ten-place grid penalty into Brazil following the stewards’ ruling for his collision with Michael Schumacher in Belgium.