Button takes title in Brazil

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Jenson Button finally has his hands on the Formula One world title following a pulsating Brazilian Grand Prix.

A combination of brilliant driving and dramatic incidents elevated Button into fifth place, with his title rivals Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello finishing fourth and eighth respectively.

Button now becomes the 10th British driver to claim motor sport's greatest prize, inheriting the crown from last year's winner Lewis Hamilton.

The 29-year-old may not have wrapped it up in the way he would have liked, having won six of the first seven races, but he is now world champion.

On a stunning day for Brawn GP, they also claimed the constructors' title just over 10 months after they appeared to be on the scrapheap when Honda pulled out of the sport.

As Button crossed the line after 71 remarkable laps at Interlagos he broke into a rendition of Queen's 'We Are The Champions,' before repeating the boast 'We're champions, we're champions.'

A euphoric Button told BBC1: "It's really amazing, especially after the last few races I've had. This makes up for it, it was such an awesome race and I'm world champion, baby!

"Twenty-one years ago I jumped in a car and I loved winning. I never expected to be world champion in F1 but we've done it today."

Red Bull's Mark Webber grabbed the win ahead of BMW Sauber's Kubica, the Australian ending a run of five successive races without scoring a point.

Hamilton was a stunning third from 17th on the grid, with Vettel fourth, Button fifth, Kimi Raikkonen sixth in his Ferrari and Sebastien Buemi a fine seventh for Toro Rosso.

It was a stunningly dramatic start to the race as Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil of Force India almost came to blows after a first-lap collision that them sent both crashing into retirement.

Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside, Trulli put a wheel onto the grass which sent him spinning into the back of the German's car.

As Trulli struck a wall, Sutil went careering across the infield, his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Renault's Fernando Alonso, who was also forced out of the race.

Trulli angrily confronted Sutil but Sutil said: "I think it was quite obvious he was on the outside and he lost control of his car and crashed into me.

"It was very strange he came to me and blamed me for the incident because he just crashed into me."

The accident brought out the safety car at the end of the first lap which culminated in more drama in the pit lane.

Heikki Kovalainen had been caught up in an incident with Ferrari's Giancarlo Fisichella at the back of the field as they made their way through the initial Senna S.

Fellow Finn and 2007 world champion Raikkonen, starting from fifth on the grid, had also had his problems as he had sustained a broken front wing and left-rear puncture in a separate issue.

With both forced into the pits, Kovalainen exited with the fuel hose still attached to his car and as he made his way down the pit lane, the stray hose sprayed fuel onto Raikkonen's car directly behind him, causing a flash fire.

Raikkonen came through it unharmed, whilst Kovalainen pulled over outside the Brawn garage where the mechanics removed the hose.

In all the mayhem, Button had moved up from 14th to ninth by the end of a first lap led by Barrichello, who had made a clean getaway from pole.

The 29-year-old put in a charge, swiftly passing Renault's Romain Grosjean and Williams' Kazuki Nakajima, who later suffered his own drama on lap 31.

In attempting to pass Kamui Kobayashi, Nakajima hit the left rear tyre of the Toyota debutant.

Nakajima was fortunate his car was not propelled into the air as it momentarily reared up before crashing back down.

He then hit a barrier before powering on across the grass, gravel and the track before slamming into a tyre wall.

In between, Barrichello lost his lead in the first round of pit stops, actually dropping to third behind Webber and Kubica.

And from that moment it all went wrong, in contrast to Button as the race and the title came to him.

He pulled off another great manoeuvre on Buemi at one stage and the championship was ultimately in the bag when Barrichello pitted late on for a third time due to a slow puncture.

From that moment it was a cruise to the line for Button, who was ecstatic after emerging from his car.

Barrichello was the first to congratulate his team-mate as they gave each other a bear hug and slaps on the back.

Emotional team boss Ross Brawn broke down in tears after the race, barely able to comprehend the size of his achievement.

A choked Brawn said: "It's still got to sink in.

"It will take a while... It's just special. Very special.

"The work the team did over the winter....all the people who couldn't be with us because we had to re-size the team after the winter, my thanks go to them.

"I hope they have enjoyed it because they have been part of what we've done."

Hamilton graciously acknowledged Button's achievement as he said: "I must say congratulations to Jenson. A great job. A great season."

Webber, even after the second victory of his career, offered his congratulations to Button.

"Jenson deserves the championship," said the Australian.

"He certainly drove well in the early part of the season. He's done a good job so I'd like to congratulate him and Brawn.

"He can sleep better now because he's been absolutely bricking it after the last few races. He can enjoy Abu Dhabi (the final grand prix on November 1)."

Button added on BBC1: "The last few races have been a bit stressful for me. I didn't win the race today but I came through.

"It's the most amazing day and I thank the fans for their support, and most of all a big thank you to my family and my girlfriend Jessica."

He added: "Yesterday after qualifying I felt sick because of how tough it was but it made it all better today."

Chequered flag honour for Massa

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Felipe Massa will be in Brazil for his home grand prix on October 18 - as a special guest to wave the chequered flag.

Massa is currently on the road to recovery after requiring life-saving surgery towards the end of July following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris tomorrow, with the FIA in attendance.

Massa, who has not ruled out the prospect of driving in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, will then return to Brazil for the penultimate round on the calendar.

Massa will become the third celebrity to wave the chequered flag at Interlagos in the past eight years, following in the footsteps of Pele and model Gisele Bundchen.

Hopefully, Massa will at least have his eyes on the conclusion of what could be the title decider, unlike Pele, who famously failed to carry out his duty.

The world's most famous footballer was looking the other way when Michael Schumacher beat his brother Ralf by half a second in 2002.

Brazilian Grand Prix Photos

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David Coulthard answers questions ahead of his final race as he brings down the curtain on a career that has spanned 15 seasons




With the start getting ever nearer, Massa joins fellow title contender Lewis Hamilton for the formality of the pre-race photos



A heavy downpour minutes before the off delays proceedings




Sadly for Coulthard his race ends moments after it begins following a collision with Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima on Turn One



Sensing a possible championship win for their man, the local fans in the Sao Paulo crowd do their best to urge him on




Having been promoted to fourth by Toro Rosso's three-stop strategy for Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton stays on course for the crown





Hamilton embraces his ecstatic brother, Nicholas, as he returns to the paddock as the new world champion




Massa is joined on the podium by Renault's Alonso, who finishes second, and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who comes third



Hamilton gets to savour the victory with his brother Nicholas, father Anthony, stepmother Linda, and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger




Lewis Hamilton heads out of Interlagos, in the company of his girlfriend and his father, as the youngest ever F1 world champion

Last-gasp Hamilton takes F1 crown

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McLaren's Lewis Hamilton became the youngest world champion in Formula One history by the skin of his teeth after a thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Englishman's title rival Felipe Massa won the race in his Ferrari but Hamilton grabbed the fifth place he needed at the last corner.

A late-race rain shower looked to have cost Hamilton the title when he dropped to sixth after a stop for wet tyres.

But he passed Toyota's Timo Glock as they entered the pit straight.

Renault's Fernando Alonso, the previous youngest champion, was second ahead of Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton's success buries the ghosts of last year, when after a remarkable debut season he let slip a massive lead in the final two races and Raikkonen sneaked in to win the title.

Ultimately, there were no similar mistakes this time around - but as he entered the final lap Hamilton was not going to win the title.

He - like Massa - had stopped to change to wet tyres as the rain fell in the closing laps.

But while the Brazilian held on to his lead, Hamilton dropped to fifth place behind Glock - who stayed on dry tyres.

Hamilton then lost that position - which was the minimum he needed if Massa won - when he was passed at the start of the penultimate lap by Vettel.

Hamilton tried hard to get back past the German, but he could not get close enough to him and he would have thought he had lost the title until he came to the last two corners of the lap.

There, Glock - who had started the final lap 18 seconds ahead of Hamilton - was struggling badly on the now-slick track and the McLaren slipped past the Toyota as it accelerated up the hill towards the finish line.

"It's pretty impossible to put into words," Hamilton said.

"I thought do I have it? Do I have it? And when they told me I was ecstatic."

It was heartbreaking for Massa, whose family were celebrating what they thought was his success for a few seconds until they realised what had happened.

"It was an emotional day for me. You get here and you've almost done everything perfect but we saw Lewis passing Glock again and that mixed emotion.

"Unfortunately we missed [out] by one point but that's racing.

"We need to be proud of our race and our championship. It's one more day of our life when I will learn a lot but for sure I'm very emotional."

His only consolation was that his victory helped secure the constructors' title for Ferrari.

The thrilling climax was a stark contrast to the rest of the race, which Hamilton had approached with the caution he felt was required to avoid mistakes.

The 23-year-old - watched from the sidelines by his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, singer with the Pussycat Dolls - went into the race knowing he only had to finish fifth even if Massa won his home event.

That luxury showed in the way in which he and his McLaren team approached the Grand Prix.

A shower of rain five minutes before the scheduled start introduced a random element that was exactly what Hamilton did not need.

It caused a five-minute delay and shaped the entire race.

The heavy shower doused the track in the area of the pits and some of the corners, but other areas remained dry.

And with the sun shining as the race started, it was only a matter of time before drivers started to pit for dry tyres.

Hamilton and McLaren played it safe, leaving it as late as they could before coming in to change tyres.

Hamilton stopped a lap later than Massa on lap 11 - and two laps after Vettel and Alonso.

McLaren's decision was the right one in that it limited their risk, but it was not the best in terms of absolute pace.

Vettel and Alonso's early stops vaulted them up into second and third places behind Massa.

Hamilton, by contrast, was demoted from fourth to sixth behind Massa, Vettel, Alonso, Raikkonen and the Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella, who had changed to dry tyres as early as lap three.

McLaren were confident the required result was always within their grasp.

But that was reckoning without the unfolding drama ahead.

Hamilton did not pass Fisichella until lap 18, out-braking him in a brave move at the first corner on the still-slippery track.

That put Hamilton into the fifth place he needed, and he was promoted to fourth by the three-stop strategy chosen by Toro Rosso for Vettel in contrast to the two stops of the other leading teams.

Hamilton was only a couple of seconds ahead of Vettel by the time the Toro Rosso had made its stop and he had to up his pace to hold his rival off.

And a late shower increased the anxiety for Hamilton as he sought to close out the championship.

Hamilton stopped for wet tyres on lap 66 - a decision that could have cost him the title.

It dropped him to fifth place behind Glock, with Vettel right behind him.

Vettel pushed Hamilton hard and passed him with two laps to go, leading to the nail-biting finish.

Scot David Coulthard's final race ended at the first corner after he was knocked into a spin by Williams's Nico Rosberg, and was hit by the other Williams of Kazuki Nakajima.

Brazilian Grand Prix result:

1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari one hour 34 minutes 11.435 seconds
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 13.298 seconds behind
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari +16.235
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari +38.011
5. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes +38.907
6. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota +44.368
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes +55.074
8. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota +1:08.463
9. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault +1:19.666
10. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber one lap behind
11. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber one lap
12. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota one lap
13. Jenson Button (GB) Honda one lap
14. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari one lap
15. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda one lap
16. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari two laps
17. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota two laps
18. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari two laps
R Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault 0 laps completed
R David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 0 laps

Key: R = retired

Fastest Lap: Massa 1:13.736 on lap 36

Ecstatic Hamilton revels in glory

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Lewis Hamilton was overwhelmed by emotion after capturing the 2008 world championship by a single point at a thrilling season finale in Brazil.

"It's pretty impossible to put into words," said the 23-year-old, who is now the youngest ever F1 champion.

"It's been such a long journey and I'm so speechless. After all the sacrifices we've made I am so thrilled to be able to do this for everyone.

"It was one of the toughest races of my life - if not the toughest."

Hamilton clinched the title when he passed Timo Glock accelerating out of the final corner of the race to snatch the drivers' crown from Felipe Massa, who took the chequered flag ahead of him.

With Massa winning at Interlagos, the Englishman knew he had to finish fifth to claim the title but he had slipped to sixth with one lap to go.

In one final twist, however, Hamilton overtook Glock's slowing Toyota to clinch the fifth place he needed - and with it the title.

"The team didn't say anything so I thought I was shot," said Hamilton, who became Britain's ninth world champion and the first since Damon Hill in 1996.

"I didn't know where Glock was and Vettel was the guy to beat and I couldn't catch him, so at that point I was going to finish sixth. My heart was in my mouth," said Hamilton

"When it started to drizzle, I didn't want to take any risks but at the final corner I got past Glock and I couldn't believe it.

"I thought 'do I have it, do I have it?' When they told me, I was ecstatic.

"It was absolutely fantastic, an amazing achievement on one of the most troubled days.

"It was such a hard race and I'm ecstatic, very emotional, very thankful for my team and my family and everyone who has supported me.

"I have done enough and we made it. I can forget everything else.

"I need to rest because my heart is on edge. I want to shout out to all my supporters at home - I love them all."

Glock insisted he had not handed the title to Hamilton and explained how his decision not to change tyres as the rain began to fall ultimately cost him fifth place.

"Six laps from the end I asked about the tyre situation and about the weather conditions, and I said every time I'll stay out, 'one more lap, one more lap' and at the end I stayed out for the whole race," the German told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"That last lap just cost us the chance to be in the top five, and in the end (decided) the world championship."

After a record-breaking rookie season, Hamilton continued to rack up the landmarks with his feat in Brazil.

The Englishman joined Canada's 1997 winner Jacques Villeneuve as the only other driver to claim the championship in just their second season.

At the age of 23 years and 301 days, he succeeded Fernando Alonso, who was 122 days older when he won the title in 2005, as the sport's youngest champion.

He is McLaren's first world champion since Mika Hakkinen in 1999, and joins a club that includes his hero Ayrton Senna and all-time greats Alain Prost and Niki Lauda.

Hamilton, who headed to a Sao Paulo nightclub after the race to celebrate with relatives, team-mates and pop singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, paid tribute to McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, who has mentored him for a decade.

"It's a fairytale story that he gave me that opportunity years ago and he had the foresight to bring me in and groom me to get to this position," Hamilton said.

"I've grabbed it with both hands and I've paid him back. I've paid him back in full so I'm happy with that."

When asked if the title would be the first of many, Hamilton said: "I hope so. I don't know if my heart will be able take that final lap for many more seasons but I'll try to do it in a bit of style maybe."

Massa struggled to hold back the tears after winning his home Grand Prix but losing the world crown by the smallest of margins.

"I had completely mixed emotions because by the time I had crossed the line, I was still the champion, and then suddenly my engineer was telling me everything on the radio," said the 27-year-old, who was racing in his hometown of Sao Paulo.

"He told me when I was already in turn three that Lewis had passed Glock.

"It was a completely mixed emotion because I was still waiting to hear the confirmation (of the title) and then we didn't have (what we wanted)."

The Ferrari driver had been aiming to become the first Brazilian since the late Ayrton Senna in 1991 to win the drivers' title.

"It was an emotional day for me," said Massa. "The race was perfect, we did everything fantastically in such difficult weather.

"We finished in front and we have to be very proud of that but unfortunately we missed [the championship] by one point.

"But that's racing - we need to be proud of our job, our race, our championship.

"We need to congratulate Lewis because he did a great championship and he scored more points than us, so he deserves to be champion.

"I know how to lose and I know how to win and it is another day of my life from which I am going to learn a lot."

Among those to congratulate Hamilton was former McLaren team-mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard has become an arch-rival and outspoken critic of the British-based team after a fraught year with them in 2007, but he went to the McLaren garage two hours after the race.

He shook Hamilton by the hand and said "well done, well done", while the Briton responded: "Thank you mate" and clasped Alonso on the shoulder.

Hamilton sets benchmark in Brazil

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Championship leader Lewis Hamilton set the benchmark in first practice for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix where he aims to clinch the 2008 world title.

The Englishman jumped to the top of the timesheets at Interlagos, clocking one minute 12.495 seconds in his McLaren.

But his main title rival, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, stayed in touch, closing the gap to 0.062secs at the halfway point of the session.

Hamilton leads Massa by seven points going into the final race.

I will help Massa win - Raikkonen

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Kimi Raikkonen has vowed to do all he can to help Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa succeed him as world champion.

Massa is seven points behind British leader Lewis Hamilton in the title race, which will be decided in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

"I'll be glad if I can do something for Felipe so he can win the title," said Raikkonen.

Massa added: "It's a team sport and both me and Kimi know we have to do what is best for the team."

Last season, Massa surrendered the lead at Interlagos to hand Raikkonen victory and the title, by a single point from Hamilton.

Raikkonen returned the favour at this season's Chinese Grand Prix, boosting Massa's title chances by allowing the Brazilian to easily pass him for second place.

On home soil in Brazil, Massa needs to finish first or second to have a chance of denying Hamilton, and is relying on the full support of his team.

"I know there have been comments about me overtaking Kimi in the final stages of that race [China], but they have come from people who don't really understand how the sport works," remarked Massa.

"Psychologically, a racing driver always wants to finish in front, but all drivers have a contract with their team, so you are not racing as an individual.

"When you are fighting for the championship, with only one driver in with a mathematical chance of winning, then all the teams in the pit lane would do the same.

"That is, to put that one driver in a position where he has the best chance of winning. That is part of this sport."

Raikkonen added: "Once you don't fight for the title any more, then for me, it does not make a difference if I finish second or third, as long as the points for Ferrari remain the same.

"I couldn't win the drivers' title this year, but I assure you that I'll try again next year."

In the McLaren camp, Hamilton is maintaining a level-headed approach to the season showdown in Brazil.

Last year the Englishman had taken a seven-point lead to Brazil only to see his title chances evaporate on race day.

After starting second on the grid, he ran wide on the first lap and then suffered a gearbox problem; though he recovered to finish seventh it was not enough to prevent Raikkonen taking the title.

"Last year, without the experience, I was a bit lost," said Hamilton, who is aiming to succeed 1996 winner Damon Hill as Britain's latest world champion.

"This year we go in with a much better approach but, despite that, I don't believe it gives us any reason to get ahead of ourselves.

"We need to keep our feet on the ground and head into the race with the approach we had in China.

"If we are able to do that, then we will be in a great position.

"We know we don't have to win. We just have to do a solid job, and that has to be our target."

Massa shrugs off title pressure

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Felipe Massa insists he is unfazed as he attempts to clinch the Formula One title ahead of rival Lewis Hamilton at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver trails Hamilton by seven points in the title race heading into Sunday's race at Interlagos.

"I have zero pressure because I have nothing to lose," said Massa.

"I have a harder job ahead of me than Lewis in terms of points but my gameplan for the end of the week is more simple than his - I must win."

Hamilton, 23, only needs to cross the line in fifth place in Brazil to become the youngest world champion in the history of F1 following his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Massa, on the other hand, must finish first or second to have any hope of pipping the Englishman to a maiden world drivers' crown.

However, the Brazilian believes knowing exactly what he has to do on his home track in Sao Paolo is an advantage.

"My own objective for the weekend is much more straightforward than his," added Massa.

"I only have to focus on winning the race on Sunday afternoon, hopefully with my team-mate Kimi Raikkonen second behind me.

"The only thing I am thinking about is winning. After that, the matter is not in my hands and we will have to wait and see exactly what and how much we have won."

Massa has been on pole in Brazil for the past two seasons and finished second to Raikkonen in 2007 after allowing the Finn past to collect the win he needed to become world champion.

The 27-year-old is also confident his good form at Interlagos, coupled with the support of his home fans, could also play into his hands.

"It is impossible to predict what will happen at the Brazilian Grand Prix but I think our car has always been very good at this circuit," stated Massa.

"Another plus for me is that I will have a huge following here in my home town, I have my people behind me."

Hamilton heads to Brazil with the same points advantage he held over Raikkonen last season but will aim to avoid repeating the misfortunes that resulted in him being denied the title.

In 2007, the McLaren driver ran off the road trying unnecessarily to pass then team-mate Fernando Alonso before a gearbox problem left him at the tail of the field.

He was able to recover only to seventh as Raikkonen won to snatch the title from Hamilton's grasp by a single point - and Massa believes the memories of that race could still affect his English rival.

"All the pressure will be on him," he said. "Especially when you think about what happened at this race last year.

"For sure, Lewis will try to put pressure on me but I can't wait for the final Sunday of the season."