Five themes to watch for in the Brazilian GP

Hulkenberg's glimmer of hope

For the first time since the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix, a Williams-Cosworth will start from pole position. Nico Hulkenberg's sensational qualifying performance on slicks on a drying track has given the team a scene-stealing turn in the world championship denouement. The chances of the young German being there after 71 laps of Interlagos on Sunday afternoon are very tiny, but with four title contenders behind him and the potential for sixth-placed Rubens Barrichello to get in the mix, the ingredients are there to cause an upset.

It's a long-shot, but if Hulkenberg can hold the lead off the line in a traditionally slow-off-the-grid car and if the title contenders behind him are too busy worrying about each other, or driving into each other, to worry about him and if he drives a race as impressive as his qualifying performance, there's a glimmer of hope that Williams's 107-race win drought can come to an end. Stranger things have happened in F1, although they usually don't and a top five finish is a more realistic aim.

Vettel's last chance

Brazil is the last chance for Vettel © Sutton

He should be starting the race leading the championship, but qualifying has given Vettel a golden opportunity to go to Abu Dhabi still with a shot.

From second, he has to be considered the pre-race favourite and he has played down the disadvantage of the dirty side of the grid. He also has less to lose than team-mate Mark Webber, who starts one place behind him, as he is 25 points behind Alonso.

Win here and at worst he will make the dash to the Middle East 18 points down. With the Spaniard fifth on the grid, there's a good chance that he will be in a better position than that. The one thing he can't afford to do is let Alonso finish ahead of him - so if the pair are together on track expect some robust defending.

Webber's quandry

The Australian made it clear in no uncertain terms that he doesn't think that the team is backing him as strongly as it should be and that there is a clear favouritism towards Vettel. That complicates his situation hugely. On the one hand, he's 11 points behind Alonso in the championship and two places ahead of him on the grid, which means that there is a good chance of a swing in his favour.

On the other hand, he knows that beating Vettel as well would make it extremely difficult for the team not to support him in Abu Dhabi. His demeanour post-qualifying suggests that he doesn't think starting third, on the racing line, is a huge disadvantage and history shows that Red Bulls don't tend to swap position on the track (and if they try they hit each other). That will make the first corner vital - and Webber knows it.

Button on a charge

Will Button be able to charge like in 2009? © Sutton

Jenson Button's already desperately tenuous hopes of retaining his world championship appear all but over after he failed to make Q3. But remember what happened last year?

From 11th on the grid, it's hard to see him emerging as a victory contender without a little help from some rain - but don't count out him repeating his charge from 14th to fifth that earned him the 2009 title.

Just as in Korea, he struggled with locking brakes in qualifying, but expected dry conditions should make life a little easier for him in Brazil.

Home heat for Massa

Felipe Massa's popularity dipped after handing victory to Alonso in Hockenheim, and despite being well-received this weekend his qualifying performance was, by his own admission, disappointing.

From ninth on the grid, it's hard to see him getting into a position to help his team-mate, but with confidence low he needs a strong race at a track where he has won twice (and relinquished another victory) to convince the Brazilian fans that he is, once again, the man.

But if he does get ahead of Alonso and gets the call to understand the message, how will the crowd react then?