Lewis Hamilton admits he will need a miracle to win the World Championship in Abu Dhabi, going into the race 24 points behind Fernando Alonso with just 25 available.
After his fourth place at Interlagos today, the Briton also trails Mark Webber by 16 points and Sebastian Vettel by nine, so he will need a victory and for misfortune to strike all three next weekend.
"We weren't quick enough here and we won't be quick enough in Abu Dhabi," Hamilton said. "Realistically, we need a miracle. But I'll keep trying, we have nothing to lose now."
Hamilton complained of struggling for grip throughout the Brazilian Grand Prix and said he was fortunate to finish as high as fourth.
"It was a tough race, the car was nowhere, I had no grip," he said. "I feel quite lucky to have finished where I finished. The car didn't feel like it did in practice, down the straights particularly. I didn't think the F-duct was working because I was struggling to overtake backmarkers and Fernando shot by on the straight. But the team did a great job with the strategy, you just can't win with a car that's not quick enough."
Teammate Jenson Button declared himself happy with his drive up from 11th on the grid to finish fifth.
"It was down to the team making the right call on pitstop strategy, and to finish behind my teammate is not so bad. We just have to build on this for next year, I don't think there's a team out there stronger than us."