OK, we'll leave the World Championship title battle aside for the time being and look at what else is at stake today.

Fist off, several drivers, most notably Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella have yet to find berths for 2008, while a number of other drivers' futures are 'on hold' as we await news of Fernando Alonso's plans.

Although BMW has secured runner-up spot in the Constructors' Championship, ahead of Renault, Williams only enjoys a four point lead over Red Bull, which has scored eight points in the last three races, as opposed to the Grove outfit's one. Another strong result from Toro Rosso could see the Italian team leapfrog Toyota, while Super Aguri will be keen to move back ahead of 'sister outfit' Honda. So today's race could see some significant changes to the Constructors' Championship, where points make prizes.

In the Drivers' Championship - no not the title battle - Heikki Kovalainen is five points behind Robert Kubica, while Scottish veteran David Coulthard is just one point behind Nico Rosberg.

A good finish could see Mark Webber move ahead of Alex Wurz, while Jenson Button will be hoping to fend off Vettel, Schumacher, Sato and Liuzzi, and thereby avoid repeating his worst championship finish ever (seventeenth in 2001).

Naturally, Felipe Massa will want to win his home race, his second successive victory here, however, greater forces are at work, for there is the little matter of that title fight.

We all know the permutations, and are therefore well aware that the man who has the most work to do today is Kimi Raikkonen, while Lewis Hamilton, in many respects, can only lose the title.

The sky is blue with barely a cloud so it is highly unlikely that the weather is going to play a part in the championship outcome. Instead, it will be down to strategy, courage, common sense, determination and maybe a little bit of luck.

After a season dominated by events off track, we are all hoping that the championship fight will end on a high today, with no silliness, by which we mean we hope that nobody will attempt to win the fight by resorting to 'dodgem car' tactics. That said, the first corner here at Interlagos is notorious, and it is usually the drivers in the midfield that cause the problems. Therefore, all eyes will be on the pack as it races away from the grid, for the title could be decided before the field reaches Curva do Sol. It's not what we want but these things happen.

Overtaking is possible here, and the fact that Felipe Massa is on pole may help Raikkonen, for a good start would allow the Brazilian to control the race. However, alongside the 2006 race winner is Hamilton, who is aware of every possible permutation.

In a season in which Ferrari has clearly missed Ross Brawn - if not Michael Schumacher - tyre strategy has sometimes paid off, and this is one race where it could be an advantage. Seemingly, the supersofts are degrading far earlier than expected, a situation brought about by the intense heat and the new tarmac surface. That said, all drivers face the same problem, it will come down to how they deal with it.

The eyes of the world are on Interlagos today, where Lewis Hamilton could make history not only by becoming the first rookie to win the title but also by becoming the youngest driver to win the title. Then there is the obvious fact that Hamilton would also be the first black driver to win the title. So not a lot of pressure on the Stevenage Rocket then.