Championship showdown in Abu Dhabi
SAO PAULO (AP) — Three-time series champion Lewis Hamilton won a rain-delayed Brazilian Grand Prix, forcing a showdown for the season title with Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in Abu Dhabi in the finale in two weeks.
The race was stopped by two crashes in driving rain during the first 28 of 71 laps.
All but a half-dozen of the early laps were run behind a safety car with drivers struggling to see through the tire spray.
The second half was less eventful, but still was slowed by another crash and another spell under the safety car.Rosberg could have claimed his first season title by winning in Brazil on Sunday, but came up short. The German finished second but still leads the season overall standings with 367 points to 355 for Hamilton.
Results from the Brazilian Grand Prix (71 laps):
1. Lewis Hamilton (ENG/MER) 3hrs 1min 1.335sec
2. Nico Rosberg (GER/MER) +11.455
3. Max Verstappen (NED/RBR) 21.481
4. Sergio Perez (MEX/FOR) 25.346
5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/FER) 26.334
6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/TOR) 29.160
7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/FOR) 29.827
8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/RBR) 30.486
9. Felipe Nasr (BRA/SAU) 42.620
10. Fernando Alonso (ESP/MLA) 44.432
11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/WIL) 45.292
12. Esteban Ocon (FRA/MAN) 45.809
13. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/TOR) 51.192
14. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/REN) 51.555
15. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/MAN) 1min 0.498
16. Jenson Button (ENG/MLA) 1min 21.994
Not classified:
Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/HAA) 11 laps
Felipe Massa (BRA/WIL) 25 laps
Jolyon Palmer (ENG/REN) 52 laps
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/FER) 52 laps
Marcus Ericsson (SWE/SAU) 60 laps
Romain Grosjean (FRA/HAA) 72 laps