How Lewis Hamilton mastered rain to force desert title duel with fierce rival Nico Rosberg

The race was won this morning when it started to rain at Interlagos. That weather ensured the event wasn't a thrilling spectacle, with so much it behind a safety car, and the only drama coming from real peril when cars skidded or drivers failed to see dangers because of the pouring rain and subsequent splash. Lewis Hamilton, resplendent in his Ayrton Senna tribute helmet, led from start to finish, handing over the lead only to the silver safety car which came out multiple times in the treacherous conditions. He takes the title fight to Abu Dhabi - but Nico Rosberg is still leading the standings.

Four out of five stars. Hamilton did what he needed to do to take the title race into the final week. Leading from the front, he didn't have the same kind of problems as those behind him; once the safety car was in, he could see the clearest of anyone else on track and held his nerve and the lead.

On such a wet day, most of the chatter was about track conditions and tyre choices. Jenson Button asked to switch on to wet tyres due to the aquaplaning he was suffering, and his team told him: "Other teams are still going to intermediates." The bemused reply came: "I don't care." Such is the honesty of someone who is looking forward to the end of the season - and his retirement.

Clever lying in wait from Max Verstappen - as soon as the first safety car was in, he made a dive round Kimi Raikkonen into Turn 1. Admittedly it wasn't the Finn's best day at the office, but the teenager was ready to race regardless of conditions. He showed that throughout; despite the multiple interruptions with flags of various hues, he attacked. Add to that ending the race with newer tyres than everyone else, and it was no wonder he found his way through to the podium.

Plenty to choose from, but beautiful work by the experienced Sebastian Vettel, taking his Ferrari exquisitely around Felipe Nasr at the Senna Ss midway through the race.

There was some fascinating tyre strategy - or rather tyre gambles. Kevin Magnussen started it, by going on to intermediates as soon as the safety car went in, catching everyone by surprise, and making other teams think they ought to consider that too. Nico Rosberg scoffed at the idea, informing his team it was far too early. It was odd to see Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari aquaplane off the road, spin, and then pull into the pits to go on to intermediates, when grip was at a premium; Marcus Ericsson had a similar problem a couple of laps later, taking him out of the race. Hamilton was quick to ask him team whether "that was someone on inters" - and was evidently unsurprised when they confirmed that it was. Having said that, Raikkonen's spin and crash was on wet tyres - and that's what brought the red flag out.

With so much standing water and spray, what was intriguing was seeing drivers endeavour to find alternative lines on the track - ones that would improve their visibility and give them as smooth a progression as possible. It was Verstappen who offered a masterclass in the conditions.

Esteban Ocon of Manor did a fine job. While Verstappen caught the eye and the Mercedes title duel will grab the headlines, he drove consistently well in dangerous conditions - and looked like he may even get himself championship points at one stage. In the end he passed the chequered flag in 12th.

And it's worth noting his work - because Sauber pipped them in the constructors' championships as Nasr took ninth. Sauber were thrilled.

Manor were devastated.

Felipe Massa's farewell to his home grand prix came to a sad end, running wide and then understeering into the barriers, with half of the front of his Williams clipped away, blocking the entry to the pit lane and bringing out the safety car yet again.

Guitarist Slash joined Ferrari for the race - and cued up a plethora of gags based on one of Guns N' Roses's most famous songs.