Ahead of his last-ever Brazilian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel says there is always something special about races at the Interlagos Circuit. Vettel, who is retiring from F1 at the end of this year, has won at Interlagos three times, including in 2017 (main picture) and took time to reminisce over classic races in Brazil from his time in the sport. The German notably highlighted the dramatic events of the 2012 season finale, where he was tipped into a spin on Lap 1 and had to charge through the field from the back, ultimately finishing sixth to pip Fernando Alonso to that year's Drivers' Championship. "There's a lot of [memories] coming back," Vettel told media. "Maybe to name two, obviously winning the championship in 2012 was an emotional rollercoaster with everything happening in that race." The highs of 2012 had come after the lows of 2009 in Brazil, when Vettel could only finish fourth to confirm Jenson Button as that year's champion. "2009 was a big memory, [but] it wasn't a highlight. I lost the championship to Jenson and it was a big emotion after the race," said Vettel. "It seems that here there is something special. I don't remember too many boring races around here."
Vettel recalls 2008 Interlagos title drama
Though he wasn't in title contention in 2008, Vettel had a small but significant role to play in that year's dramatic denouement at Interlagos, as he overtook Lewis Hamilton for fifth place with just a couple of laps remaining – a result which would have assured race winner Felipe Massa of the championship. However, at the second-to-last corner of the last lap, both Vettel and Hamilton overtook the Toyota of Timo Glock, who was struggling with slick tyres on a damp track, ensuring that Hamilton did indeed finish in the fifth place he needed in order to claim the crown instead of Massa. "The fans here in Brazil are very loud, obviously. I think 2008 was one of the moments where I heard the crowd," said Vettel of that year's dramatic finale. "I didn't know what was going on, because there was a lot of confusion on last lap, with Lewis, Felipe, Timo and myself. But one of the few moments where I actually heard the crowd in the car." "There's obviously a big history, a lot of Brazilian champions and idols, so it's a very educated crowd when it comes to our sport. They know Formula 1, they have a long history with Formula 1, and they love the sport."
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