F1, Brazilian GP: 5 incredible World Championship finales at Interlagos

The Formula One calendar takes a trip to South America next, for the much awaited Brazilian Grand Prix.

The World Championship may have been decided already in the favour of Lewis Hamilton, but the constructors' championship is still up for grabs, even if just barely.

Ferrari will be hoping to keep the pressure on their immediate rivals Mercedes heading into this race, while Red Bull will be hopeful of a similar outcome as was last time out when Max Verstappen won in Mexico.

Speaking of Verstappen, the Dutchman will be on cloud nine after another stunning drive, and has a glorious opportunity of closing the calendar on the perfect note, with eyes on next season's title.

As for the Ferraris, Sebastian Vettel will be kicking himself after throwing away the title after some costly mistakes, and off the back of a podium finish in Mexico, he will have eyes on winning too in Interlagos.

The Brazilian GP is responsible for giving us some truly special memories over the years, and is remembered largely for being the race that decides Championships.

The Grand Prix hasn't disappointed us in the least, and more drama can be expected this time around. Here are five times that the title was decided in Brazil:

#5 2005 Brazilian GP (Championship winner: Fernando Alonso)

Fernando Alonso completed a dream championship win

Fernando Alonso did the unthinkable back in 2005 when he managed to dethrone Michael Schumacher from the top spot and grab the Championship by the scruff of the neck.

Heading into the Brazilian GP in 2005, Alonso was well placed in the title race and was given a further boost when he grabbed pole position during qualifying.

His immediate rival there was Kimi Raikkonen who had to win the race and hope that Alonso slips up, but that wasn't to be.

Raikkonen fought to finish second by the end, but it wasn't enough as Alonso rounded off the podium spots and thus managed to secure enough points for a first ever World Championship. This was a special moment indeed.

#4 2012 Brazilian GP (Championship winner: Sebastian Vettel)

Vettel wins the championship at Interlagos in 2012

An exciting season headed to its climax in 2012 as a showdown between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso ensued.

Alonso had started the year brilliantly and looked on course for a sure-shot title win, but Vettel clawed back around the mid-way mark of the season and managed to grab a 13-point lead heading into Interlagos.

That didn't account for much though, and there was still plenty to play for. Alonso drove his best, but couldn't find a way past Jenson Button in the end, while at the other end, Sebastian Vettel was facing his own issues.

Constant problems marred the German's race from the very start where he was tagged by Bruno Senna, but a measured drive ensured he finished sixth, just about enough to get him the points needed for another title win.

#3 2009 Brazilian GP (Championship winner: Jenson Button)

2009 turned out to be the year of Brawn GP. Backed by F1 legend Ross Brawn, the team sensationally managed to dethrone the big boys in F1 and lead the pack thanks to their experienced drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

As we approached the end of the season, however, some cracks started developing in the Brawn arsenal and opened possibilities of a collapse. But thanks to the calm head of Button, the drama didn't last long.

Heading into Interlagos, Button had a 14-point lead but qualifying wasn't kind to him. What helped was that rival Vettel didn't do well either, and while Rubens Barrichello had every chance of winning the race and the title, he couldn't manage his way to the end. His race fell apart, and Button did enough to secure a famous maiden Championship.

#2 2007 Brazilian GP (Championship winner: Kimi Raikkonen)

How Kimi Raikkonen managed to win the 2007 World Championship is anyone's guess. But he did. And he proved how good he really is at the Brazilian GP.

Heading into the race, Raikkonen only just had a shout at the title, with a victory required to pose any threat to the real contenders Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

All season long McLaren had dominated the calendar, but controversy had struck this year too, and the pressure was beginning to tell.

Raikkonen took advantage of this and stormed ahead and all the way through to win the Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton aided Kimi's win by suffering a gearbox problem in the opening stages, and never really recovered, finishing only seventh in the end. While his teammate Alonso did manage third, it wasn't enough to clinch the title. All hail Kimi Raikkonen!

#1 2008 Brazilian GP (Championship winner: Lewis Hamilton)

Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 World title in Brazil

Arguably the greatest Brazilian GP took place in 2008 when Lewis Hamilton only just managed to clinch the World Championship.

After failing to win the previous year, Hamilton had his eyes on the top prize this time around and did all he could leading up to the race in Interlagos to ensure he had the title in the bag.

Even so, he needed to pick up just four points here to win the title if his immediate rival Felipe Massa was to win the race.

And win Massa did, after driving superbly all race long. But the drama had only just begun. Lewis Hamilton was suddenly sixth after rain played foul, and the title looked certain to be heading Ferrari's way again.

As Massa crossed the line to finish first, Hamilton was still sixth. As the home fans cheered for their local hero who was set to become World Champion, everything changed.

Hamilton spotted Timo Glock in the final stages and went all out, finally pushing hard enough to overtake him at the very end to win what will always be his most cherished World Championship crown.

Edited by Alan John