F1: 5 facts about the Brazilian Grand Prix

With the 2018 Driver's Championship settled with Lewis Hamilton winning his 5th Championship at Mexico last week, there is not much to play for at the Brazilian Grand Prix apart from pride. The Interlagos Circuit has seen many great races in the past, and the 2018 edition does look promising with drivers looking to sign off the season on a high note.

The Interlagos Circuit is among the oldest venues in Formula One with the first race held year way back in 1973. Sao Paolo native Ayrton Senna's success in Formula One proved to be a catalyst as authorities decided to revamp the old circuit to popularize the sport in Brazil.

The newly revamped circuit held its first race in 1990 and has since been a venue for some of the most exciting and remarkable races. On many occasions, the Brazilian Grand Prix was the concluding Grand Prix of the season and saw many champions being crowned. This year, however, this is not the case as the Formula One calendar has been expanded to include more races.

We take a look at 5 facts about the famed Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit:

#5 First instance of the Ralf Schumacher and Michael Schumacher starting from the top of the grid

The third race of the 2001 Formula One season was held at the Interlagos Circuit with defending Champion Michael Schumacher starting on pole position. His younger brother Ralf Schumacher driving for Team Williams - BMW was second on the starting grid.

This was the first instance in a Formula One race where two brothers started the race from the top of the grid. However, neither of the two drivers were able to take advantage of their starting position on the grid as David Coulthard of McLaren won the race starting from fifth.

#4 Crowning of Fernando Alonso as the youngest ever Formula One World Champion at the time

The 17th round of the 2005 Formula One season saw Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen battling it out for the Driver's Championship with 2 more races left in the season. Kimi only had a mathematical chance of taking the Championship to Round 18 and was heavily dependent on other outcomes going his way.

Fernando Alonso started on pole but was edged out by the two McLarens. It was the first 1-2 start for McLaren-Mercedes since the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix with Juan Pablo Montoya taking the chequered flag followed closely by his teammate Kimi Raikkonen in second.

Alonso took the third position on the podium and it was enough for him to claim the Championship. In the process, he became the youngest Formula One World Champion at the time. However, it was a bittersweet moment for his Team Renault as they squandered the lead in the Constructors' Championship to McLaren-Mercedes.

#3 Brazilians have won the Brazilian Grand Prix

Since 1973 when the race was officially made a part of the Formula One calendar, 5 native drivers from Brazil have the race here. The first Brazilian to win the race here was 2-time champion Emerson Fittipaldi who won in 1973 and 1974.

Carlos Pace won the following year and history was made as the first 3 races at the Interlagos circuit were all won by Brazilians. Nelson Piquet won the race in 1983 and again took the chequered flag here in 1986.

3-time World Champion Ayrton Senna won the race here in 1991 and 1993 and was largely the inspiration behind the revamping of the Circuit. Felipe Massa is the last Brazilian to win here having done so twice in 2006 and 2008.

#2 Most successful driver at the Brazilian Grand Prix

4-time World Champion Alain Prost of France is the most successful driver at the Brazilian Grand Prix with an astounding 6 victories. Prost won here in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.

Carlos Reutemann of Argentina and Michael Schumacher have won 4 races each. Among currently active drivers, Sebastian Vettel leads the pack with 3 race wins here in 2010, 2013 and 2017 and will be looking to win his 4th title next month in Brazil.

#1 Michael Schumacher's last race for Ferrari

After the Chinese Grand Prix of 2006, Michael Schumacher had announced his retirement from the Sport at the end of the season. The final race of his Formula One career as a driver for Scuderia Ferrari came at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Although going into the race Schumacher only had a slim chance of winning the Driver's Championship, he wanted to sign off on a high note. Schumacher had to endure some disappointment as he started 10th on the grid before dropping further back to 19th owing to a tyre puncture.

But the German was resilient and staged a spectacular comeback to finish 4th from the bottom of the grid. It was a momentous occasion and displayed the exemplary skills of the great German. The race was eventually won by Schumacher's Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa who won his first race in his native country.

Schumacher set the time for the fastest lap of the race.

Edited by Rupin Kale