Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has claimed his third Formula One title in dramatic circumstances after spinning into last place as Jenson Button won the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.
The German driver was battling Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso heading into the final race of the 2012 season.
Vettel led Alonso by 13 points heading into the final GP of the season, where the German would qualify fourth, while the Spaniard would be back in eighth with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton taking pole.
However, the true drama erupted on lap one, when Vettel collided with Williams’ Bruno Senna and spun, leaving him in last spot and handing the advantage to Alonso.
Vettel also suffered a pit delay but sensationally fought back from last to finish sixth, while Alonso came in second, which wasn’t enough to bridge the gap, meaning the Red Bull driver won his third consecutive F1 title.
The German was made to work hard in rain-affected conditions, pushing his way through the backrunners to claim sixth.
Meanwhile, Hamilton, in his final race for McLaren, had led the way before a collison with Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg forced him out of the race, gifting Button the opportunity which he grasped.
Ferrari’s Felipe Massa came in third, with Mark Webber fourth, while Michael Schumacher, in his last-ever GP, finished seventh.
