After seven months, 17 races and countless thousands of miles of racing and testing, the 2004 Formula One World Championship reaches its conclusion, here at Interlagos, Brazil - and as promised, it's raining.

With fifteen minutes remaining before the cars head off on the parade lap, it's only light rain, but the dark clouds in the distance are ominous. Last yea's race, held in treacherous conditions, caused quite a few upsets, not least two horrendous crashes involving Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso, not to mention utter confusion when it came to awarding the victory.

Today, much like the ice cream you find at the end of the cone, it could be about saving the best for last, with Interlagos shaping up to produce one of the best races of the season.

Although we have local hero Rubens Barrichello on pole, looking supremely hot to trot, and eager to shake off his jinx, alongside him we have fellow-south American Juan Pablo Montoya, not to mention Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa right behind.

Then, bearing in mind the conditions, we have rain-master Michael Schumacher, starting from eighteenth, a man who would dearly love to make amends for the shambles that was Shanghai. The German forfeited ten grid positions following his engine change on Saturday.

Then again, both BARs are at the front, with both Jenson and Takuma eager to end the Brackley outfit's phenomenal season in style.

Yes, we really could be in for a thriller, and unlike TV broadcasters, we at Pitpass are not given to hyperbole.

With five minutes before the cars leave the grid for the warm-up lap, it's still raining, while the ambient temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 27 degrees.

Gianmaria Bruni is starting from the pit.

The rain appears to have eased, but of course, the track is still wet. Consequently a number of drivers have opted to start on intermediates, which will favour the Michelin runners. Several drivers, including Coulthard and Villeneuve are on dry tyres.

The cars head off on the parade lap. At the end of the lap, Baumgartner pulls into the pits.

Great starts by Barrichello, Raikkonen and Massa, as Montoya fluffs it. Coming out of Turn 3 Raikkonen makes short work of the Ferrari to take the lead, while Button passes Massa for third.

At the end of the first lap, its Raikkonen from Barrichello, Button, Massa, Montoya, Sato, Ralf and Trulli. Michael Schumacher is up to tenth.

Montoya is the fastest man on track, as Fisichella goes off.

Massa is having a tremendous battle with Button as Montoya takes advantage and moves up to third. Meanwhile Michael and Klien tangle, and the German spins.

At the end of lap 3, Barrichello re-takes the lead as they approach the first corner. Montoya is running third ahead of Massa, while Button is dropping back through the field, the Englishman clearly suffering an engine problem. Sadly, it's terminal, his race ends.

Montoya closes in on Raikkonen, as Massa sets a new fastest lap. Elsewhere, Coulthard and Villeneuve are fighting for last place - on their dry tyres.