Vettel qualifies fourth, Alonso eighth for Brazilian GP - Kansas City Star

Lewis Hamilton won the pole position, while current Formula One points leader Sebastian Vettel qualified fourth and title contender Fernando Alonso eighth for Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who is making his last start with McLaren before moving over to Mercedes for next season, turned a lap around the 2.677-mile Interlagos circuit in 1 minute, 12.458 seconds for his seventh pole of the season and the 26th of his F1 career.

His teammate, Jenson Button, posted a lap time of 1:12.513 to qualify second and give McLaren a front row sweep for the Brazilian GP.

Mark Webber qualified one spot ahead of his Red Bull teammate, Vettel, in third with his lap of 1:12.581. Webber is the defending race winner.

Vettel enters this race with a 13-point lead over Alonso from Ferrari. Vettel's lap was clocked in 1:12.760, while Alonso had a time of 1:13.253.

Vettel will clinch his third consecutive F1 world championship if he finishes fourth or better in the Brazilian GP, regardless of where Alonso places. Vettel will also be guaranteed the title if he places either fifth, sixth or seven and Alonso does not win the race.

If Alonso finishes no better than third, Vettel will capture the title no matter where he places.