The Briton finished fifth, one place behind his McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton, to end his chances of becoming the first driver to win successive titles with different teams since the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
Formula One world champion Jenson Button looked forward to a fighting future on Sunday after relinquishing his title at the same Brazilian circuit where he won it.
The Briton finished fifth, one place behind his McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton, to end his chances of becoming the first driver to win successive titles with different teams since the late Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
"I won the championship here last year and I lost it today," the 30-year-old, speaking a day after he escaped unhurt from an attempted armed carjacking outside the Interlagos track, told reporters.
"In a strange way I'm not that disappointed.
"I had a great race and a lot of fun... I will no longer be the reigning world champion but I will still be a world champion," he added.
Hamilton is still in the hunt, but only if he wins the final race in Abu Dhabi and the three title rivals ahead of him all fail to score, but both McLaren drivers recognised the championship was over.
"We weren't quick enough here and we won't be quick enough in Abu Dhabi," said Hamilton, who also won and lost his 2008 championship at Interlagos.
"Realistically, we need a miracle. But I'll keep trying, we have nothing to lose now."
With Red Bull winning the constructors' title with a race to spare, the emphasis now is on 2011.
"I hope to be fighting for it next year but all in all it's been a good year. I've had a couple wins and podiums quite a few times and real fun races like this one. Not too bad," said Button.
"This is all practice for next year. We can really build on this."
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