HistoryData
general2005

2005 Brazilian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 2005

September 25, 2005

Fernando Alonso clinched his first Formula One Drivers' Championship at this race, while Juan Pablo Montoya scored what remains the last Colombian victory in F1.

Quick Facts

Year
2005
Category
general

Key Facts

Race winner
Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren)
Number of laps
71 laps
Race date
25 September 2005
Championship round
17th of 2005 season
Montoya career wins
7th and final career victory
Drivers' Champion
Fernando Alonso (Renault), finishing 3rd

By the Numbers

71laps
Number of laps
25
Race date
17
Championship round
7
Montoya career wins

Location

Map of São Paulo, BrazilMap of São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo, Brazil

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Heading into the final rounds of the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship, Fernando Alonso held a significant points lead. The Brazilian Grand Prix offered him an opportunity to mathematically secure the title, with McLaren's Montoya and Räikkönen as his primary rivals on track.

Event

The 71-lap race at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo was won by McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya, who led teammate Kimi Räikkönen across the line. Renault's Fernando Alonso finished third, a result sufficient to clinch the 2005 Drivers' Championship. It was the seventh and final win of Montoya's Formula One career.

Consequence

Alonso became Formula One Drivers' Champion for the first time at age 24, marking Renault's return to championship glory. Montoya's victory remained, as of 2026, the last Formula One win by a Colombian driver. The result effectively ended the title contest with races still remaining in the season.

Result

Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren)
1st: Montoya, 2nd: Räikkönen, 3rd: Alonso (Renault)
Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren)

at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo, Brazil

Alonso clinched 2005 Drivers' Championship; Montoya's 7th and final F1 win; last Colombian F1 victory (as of 2026)

Timeline Context

Timeline around 200520052002200320042006200720082005 CONCACAF Gold Cup — 2005 edition of the association football competition CONCACAF Gold CupJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2005 — 3rd annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest2005 in film — overview of film-related events during the year of 20052005 FIFA Club World Championship — second edition of FIFA Club World Championship2005 FIFA Confederations Cup — 7th FIFA Confederations Cup, held in GermanyJyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy — controversy relating to the publication of depictions of the Islamic prophet MuhammadTulip Revolution — 2005 revolution in Kyrgyzstan2005 World Championships in Athletics — 10th World Championships in Athletics2005-brazilian-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-2-2005