Brazil - what’s not to like?

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
“I love this circuit: it’s in this incredible natural arena that is just amazing to race on. And it’s anti-clockwise too - so it presents an additional challenge to the drivers… Everybody’s always happy to finish the season in Brazil - there’s a real party atmosphere in Sao Paulo on the Sunday night and it’s a perfect place to end such a great season.”

Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
“I really like to race at home and I think I race better at home. Do I need to say I’m very motivated? I love this track, I grew up here and I know all its little tricks and secrets.”

More quotes from the key drivers after the jump:

Fernando Alonso (Renault)
“It was at Interlagos that I won my two world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and so it always feels great to come back here… usually the atmosphere in Brazil is extraordinary: the fans are really passionate about the sport and it’s a special place for Formula One. So it should be a great weekend.”

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
“I want to fight for victory in Brazil and celebrate a good result with the team: this would give me a good feeling for the winter and the upcoming season. I’m happy to be in Brazil again. Interlagos is a track where there are often really exciting races. We drive anti-clockwise here, which is very demanding. But more than anything else this place reminds me of something very special. Last year I won the race and the title, something really extraordinary.”

Robert Kubica (BMW)
“Interlagos is physically very tiring because we drive the circuit anticlockwise. That’s something we’re not used to, and we feel it especially in the neck. I’m currently third in the drivers’ standings, six points in front of Kimi, and, of course, it’s my aim to defend this position.”

Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
“Clearly, I want to be able to help the team and Lewis wherever necessary - but the easiest way to do that is to be running at the front. The team knows I will play my part, but we are also targeting the constructors’ championship. We may be 11 points behind Ferrari, but there are 18 points available in Brazil and we go into the final race still looking at securing both world titles - that has to be our aim.”

Nick Heidfeld (BMW)
“I’m pleased for the fans, but also personally, that we have an exciting finale to the world championship. Plus, I’m curious to see whether the track is still the same as it was in 2007. That was a nice surprise, as the track’s surface used to be really bad and very bumpy. It was always being patched up, but it was only when the track was re-asphalted ahead of the 2007 Grand Prix that it really became a good surface. The layout of the Interlagos track is excellent and very demanding on the drivers - not least, of course, as far as our neck muscles are concerned.”

Nelson Piquet (Renault)
“I know that it will feel great to drive in my own country in front of my family and my friends - it’s definitely a big source of motivation and I’m really determined to get the most from the weekend. I will do my best to remain concentrated, work hard with my engineers to try and make sure we have a really good race in Interlagos.”

Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
“It’s disappointing we cannot finish fourth in the constructors’ championship but it’s still possible for me to finish eighth in the drivers’ championship so I will fight to score as many points as possible to do that. I was in the points there last season even though our car was not as competitive as this year’s so I am pretty confident. Interlagos is quite a tough circuit because it is anti-clockwise and it puts a lot of strain on your neck, but I am fit and I’ve never had a problem. It’s quite a challenging circuit in general and I enjoy racing there.”

Jenson Button (Honda)
“Sao Paulo is a fantastic venue for the final race of the season as it’s such a lively city and the Brazilian fans are incredibly passionate about Formula One. There is always a good atmosphere at Interlagos.”

Rubens Barrichello (Honda)
“The Brazilian Grand Prix has always been very special to me and I am really pleased for the Brazilian fans that they have a fantastic weekend of racing to look forward to with the drivers’ and constructors’ titles still to be decided. Interlagos is special not just because it is my home track, but because it has a challenging layout with some great corners such as the Curva do Laranjinha.”

Nico Rosberg (Williams)
“Interlagos is a really fun track to drive as it has a bit of everything - gradient changes, a complete mix of corners and it runs in an anti-clockwise direction which presents a different challenge for the drivers. We had a strong race there last year and I finished fourth. As we haven’t had a great showing in the past two races, it would be nice to do well again here and end the season on a positive note.”