The battle for the 2016 World Drivers’ Championship will go down to the wire in the last grand prix of the season, at Abu Dhabi in two weeks’ time.

Hamilton needed victory in Brazil not only to stay in the title race but also to bridge the points gap to team-mate Nico Rosberg. They go to Abu Dhabi separated now by just 12 points.

The Brazil race was dogged by poor weather, with the start delayed 10 minutes due to the rain. Conditions were so bad that Romain Grosjean crashed on the formation lap. As a result, the race started behind the Safety Car.

Hamilton lead from Rosberg early on, but the Safety Car soon returned after Marcus Ericsson slid into a wall. Then when the race restarted, Kimi Raikkonen aquaplaned on the main straight and hit the wall, prompting the race to be red flagged.

Proceedings recommenced after a half-hour delay, only for the race to be red flagged once more when conditions failed to improve. Another near-half hour delay ensued before the race restarted.

From there it went to the flag, although with several Safety Car intermissions. In the end Hamilton was a comfortable winner over Rosberg, with Max Verstappen claiming third and providing most of the interest in the final section of the race with his some stunning overtaking moves in the wet. Despite a few wild moments, Verstappen had driven from 16th to third place.

Hamilton goes to the final round at Abu Dhabi on a high but also in the knowledge that Rosberg is in the box seat to claim the title. Even if Hamilton wins in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg will be crowned as long as he finishes no lower than third place.