Formula One: Rosberg can win the title in Brazil – but rain may say otherwise
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After putting Nico Rosberg’s title celebrations on hold with a dominant victory in Mexico, Lewis Hamilton heads to Brazil hoping to do the same again.
The reigning champion trails his Mercedes team-mate by 19 points, and knows that if his German rival comes home first in Sao Paulo on Sunday, the championship is over.
But his victory in central America last time around reminded everyone that when he brings his A-Game, nobody can catch Lewis.
Amazingly Hamilton has never won in Brazil, with Rosberg prevailing for each of the last two seasons.
But while the German would love a dull, dry race to make it three wins on the spin – and thus claim the championship – the weather gods look set to play havoc.
With rain and thunderstorms forecast for the entire weekend, there’s plenty of opportunity for things to go awry for the title protagonists.
A little spot of rain could lend itself to some bigger winners this weekend too.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is no stranger to a spot of rain and a surprise result, with Giancarlo Fisichella upsetting huge odds to win for Jordan in 2003.
So who could it be this time around?
Max Verstappen showed his wet-weather talent earlier this year at the British Grand Prix, and the teenage superstar is 11/1 for victory, just behind Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo at 10s.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are 12/1 and 40/1 respectively, but what about a shock win for Nico Hulkenberg and Force India?
The German has starred at Interlagos in the past, landing a surprise pole position for Williams in 2010, before arguably his strongest race to date – battling Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton for victory two years later.
At 250/1, the 29-year-old could be worth backing to prevail if the conditions offer the chance, while the 22/1 on a first career podium could also tempt.
And the crowd would go simply wild if Felipe Massa could do the job for Williams in his final home event.
The 35-year-old is retiring at the end of the season, but he is always on top form on home soil, counting wins in 2006 and 2008. The Brazilian is 500/1 for a memorable win, and 80s to steal the show by landing a podium finish.
And whenever the weather throws in a curveball, one man comes through the field more often than not.
Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard has already used his skill and guile to lift the McLaren-Honda into three top-six finishes this season, and 9/2 says he does it once more this weekend.
And who can rule out a first podium of the year for the Woking outfit at 80/1?
Back at the front, Rosberg is looking to join five men in the field as reigning champions and history would suggest he gets the job done in Brazil.
Each of Hamilton, Alonso, Raikkonen, Vettel and Jenson Button claimed their titles in Sao Paulo, and Rosberg will be hoping Brazil crowns another champion this weekend.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
