Formula 1: Fernando Alonso narrowly misses World Championship title
Despite finishing second in a dramatic season finale in Brazil the Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso was narrowly beaten in the battle for the Drivers’ World Championship title. The Spaniard, who relies on dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG in his car, was on course to take the World Championship at one stage of the race, however, thanks to his sixth position Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel clinched the World Championship for the third time in succession – by a mere three points from Alonso. Felipe Massa, in whose Ferrari ZF dampers are also used, was third in his home race.
Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne finished his first Formula 1 season with an eighth place. The Frenchman’s car is equipped with dampers and a clutch from ZF. Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi scored two World Championship points in ninth place. ZF dampers are also used in the Japanese’s car.
Result GP Brazil (BR), round 20, Formula 1 World Championship, 23.11-25.11.2012:
1. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1h 45m 22.656s
2. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 2.754s, ZF
3. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 3.615s, ZF
4. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 4.936s
5. Nico Hülkenberg, Force India-Mercedes, + 5.708s
6. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, + 9.453s
7. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, + 11.900s
8. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, + 28.653s, ZF
9. Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber-Ferrari, + 31.250s, ZF
10. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, - 1 lap
Drivers’ World Championship final standings:
1. S. Vettel, 281 points; 2. F. Alonso, 278; 3. K. Räikkönen, 207; 4. L. Hamilton, 190; 5. J. Button, 188; 6. M. Webber, 179; 7. F. Massa, 122; 8. R. Grosjean, 96; 9. N. Rosberg, 93; 10. S. Pérez, 66.
Manufacturers’ World Championship final standings:
1. Red Bull-Renault, 460 points; 2. Ferrari, 400; 3. McLaren-Mercedes, 378; 4. Lotus-Renault, 303; 5. Mercedes, 142; 6. Sauber-Ferrari, 126; 7. Force India-Mercedes, 109; 8. Williams-Renault, 76; 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 26.