F1: 5 most memorable moments from the Brazilian Grand Prix

The Brazilian GP has had some iconic moments
The Brazilian GP has had some iconic moments

The action of Formula One heads to Interlagos next, with the highly anticipated Brazilian Grand Prix.

The F1 World Championship may already have been decided in the favour of Lewis Hamilton, but there is still plenty to play for down the order, as well as for teams looking to end the season on the high.

Constructors' points are also up for grabs, though Mercedes can secure that area too with a strong finish here. Ferrari and Red Bull appear to be the obvious contenders for the top prize alongside the much-fancied Mercedes, and with one of the most dramatic venues on the F1 calendar in Brazil to come, we do believe anything is possible.

Dramatic is perhaps the best way to refer to the Brazilian GP, with bizarre and memorable incidents taking place over the years, and with the race largely being the ultimate destination on the calendar in the past, plenty of iconic moments have been seen here.

From Ayrton Senna to Rubens Barrichello to Felipe Massa, a number of Brazilians have come here, but only a few have conquered. It is hard to pick just five memorable moments from a track that has given motorsport so much action over the years, but if we were to pick out some that stick in the memory, these would probably be it.

#5 Senna wins at home (1991)

Senna picked up the win
Senna picked up the win

Ayrton Senna may already have been called one of the best in the business in 1991, but it would have all felt empty to the Brazilian if he hadn't won at his beloved home Grand Prix.

The late Senna had an incredible opportunity to fulfil his heart's desire in 1991 after taking pole position and finding himself at the front of the grid. Senna sped away early and was helped by a puncture to Nigel Mansell's tyre, the man who was closest behind him.

As victory looked clear, Senna's gearbox failed, and he found himself stuck in sixth gear. Through sheer grit and heart, the homeboy went on to win the race, but was visibly exhausted afterwards. What an iconic moment this truly was.

#4 Martin Brundle escapes unhurt from scary crash (1994)

1994 was a memorable race
1994 was a memorable race

The 1994 Brazilian Grand Prix will be known for this incident, which is one that could have ended horribly for one Martin Brundle.

This was the first race on the calendar in 1994, and all the drivers were looking to make an impression at the very beginning. One 22-year-old Jos Verstappen (father of Max Verstappen) was making his debut here and was desperate to impress in his Benetton.

However, on lap 36, it all went horribly wrong. Verstappen tried to get past Eddie Irvine while Irvine was looking to get through a backmarker in Eric Bernard. Irvine clearly didn't see Verstappen and pushed him onto the grass. The Dutchman slid back again and rammed into Irvine, setting off a chain reaction that ended with Verstappen's car bouncing over Martin Brundle's McLaren and hitting Brundle on the head.

His helmet may have been sliced open, but Brundle somehow escaped unhurt and avoided what may have been instant death. Still questioning the use of the halo?

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#3 Raikkonen wins World Championship by one point (2007)

Kimi Raikkonen won in stunning fashion
Kimi Raikkonen won in stunning fashion

Before the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2007, if you had put your money on Kimi Raikkonen winning the World Championship, people would have called you crazy.

Lewis Hamilton looked set to become the first ever F1 driver to win the title in his debut season heading into the Brazil GP, but it all went wrong for the Brit at the start. A gearbox problem ensured he couldn't get away as he would have liked, and while McLaren fancied their chances with Fernando Alonso too, the Spaniard was unable to get ahead of the Ferraris.

This played perfectly into the hands of Kimi Raikkonen who used the help of his partner Felipe Massa to stay ahead and ensure he wins the race. Hamilton finished seventh, giving the Iceman an unlikely one point Championship victory. Simply wow.

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#2 Giancarlo Fisichella wins bizarre Brazil Grand Prix (2003)

Giancarlo Fisichella somehow won the race in 2003
Giancarlo Fisichella somehow won the race in 2003

If you want to talk about chaos at Interlagos, the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix would be the best example of it.

A race held in pathetic conditions, such a start would never have been allowed in this day and age, but back in 2003, the field lined up anyway. Drivers crashed out one by one, until the field narrowed down to a select few.

Towards the end, Giancarlo Fisichella and Kimi Raikkonen were left fighting it out to decide the winner, but two laps from the end, the race was stopped. Mark Webber had crashed into the barricade and while his debris lay in the middle of the track, Fernando Alonso came and smashed into it, causing all sorts of mayhem.

Raikkonen was initially declared the winner of the race and handed the trophy, but was forced to hand it over to Fisichella at San Marino next time out after it was adjudged that he was the real winner.

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#1 Hamilton wins World Championship in most dramatic fashion (2008)

Hamilton won the Championship by one point
Hamilton won the Championship by one point

Haunted by the demons of a year ago, Lewis Hamilton knew he had to finish fifth in order to clinch the World Championship if Felipe Massa had won the race in 2008.

Massa drove brilliantly in his home race and built up a huge lead for himself as the field battled it out behind him. Hamilton looked on course to do the needful for a Championship triumph until disaster struck.

Rain changed everything, and a struggling Hamilton fell a place down to sixth, where he stayed till the final lap. As Massa crossed the chequered flag, everyone thought the Brazilian had won the title in front of his home crowd, but that wasn't to be.

Lewis Hamilton spotted Timo Glock struggling on the final few sections of the race, and somehow managed to catch up to his Toyota and eventually overtook him with only seconds remaining in the race. The Brit had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and made this the most memorable Brazilian GP moment of all time.

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