So this is it, the race we have been building up to since things kicked off way back in March. Who would have thought, after a season of Red Bull domination in 2011, that we'd be set for a championship showdown at the very last race of the year in 2012? Brazil can usually be relied upon for a fantastic season-ending event, and if we're crowning the champion while we're at it, even better.

Event schedule

Sebastian Vettel missed out on victory last weekend, but he still managed to extend his lead over Fernando Alonso going into this final Grand Prix. There are just 13 points between them, and whilst that puts the odds squarely in the Red Bull camp, anything can happen at Interlagos. Meanwhile, Bruno Senna and Felipe Massa will both be cheered on by the home fans, with at least one of those racing for his race seat.

Support racing for this event includes Porsche Cup, and Porsche Challenge.

The weather

After a couple of weeks of non-stop sunshine over the F1 paddocks, Brazil offers the chance for some changeable conditions, particularly on Sunday. The long range forecasts even suggest showers with a 60% chance of rain, and there's plenty of clouds hovering over the circuit to make a wet race a distinct possibility.

Circuit map

The circuit

The Interlagos circuit usually manages to provide entertainment without trying, and with the pressure on the drivers at the top, it should be the perfect place to wind up the season. Built into the side of a hill, the natural elevation changes provide extra challenges for the drivers, along with the anti-clockwise direction the race is run.

The track is one of the shorter on the F1 calendar, ratcheting up the laps to 71 and they all have the same difficult undulations and fast-flowing corners. Meanwhile, the track has had some small tweaks since 2011, including a new kerb at the apex of turn 15, plus extra debris fences for additional safety in the first few corners.

Tyre compounds

The tyre selection from Pirelli wasn't a huge hit at the last race in Austin, with a one-stop strategy being the preferred option for most of the drivers. The tyre suppliers have opted for the same compounds for this last race of the year, with the hard (silver sidewalls) and medium (white sidewalls) making another appearance. It's hard to tell them apart, but that's not what Pirelli care about - they're already looking ahead to next year.

We’ll be bringing some of our 2013 prototype tyres to Brazil in order for the teams to get a taste of them during free practice. With no testing until February otherwise, this will be an extremely valuable opportunity for them to see what our new tyres are like as they finalise their 2013 cars – so let’s hope that it doesn’t rain on Friday!

- Paul Hembery

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process was changed last year to include a former F1 driver to give added insight. These are the stewards overseeing this weekend's action.