Hello and welcome everyone to Round 21 of the Formula 1 World Championship. As we depart from the heart of Mexico City, this glamorous motorsport travels southeast to Brazil’s financial centre, São Paulo. To host the Brazilian Grand Prix.
And for the fourth consecutive time, the state of Interlagos will witness Formula 1 rev up the engine for the fifth round of the Sprint Weekend format. So get ready as the weekend approaches for another exciting venue of grand prix racing.
History of the Brazilian Grand Prix
The Interlagos circuit, now known as the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, has created a rich history dating back to 1926. It all started with Louis Romero Sanson, a real estate entrepreneur who sought to develop a multi-sport complex for the suburban area.
This ambitious project was profiled as “Balneário Satélite da Capital,” or in English, the Satellite Bathhouse of the Capital. Its main purpose was to create a vibrant community.
As part of Sanson’s efforts, French urban planner Alfred Agache was enlisted to design the area. And he renamed it Interlagos, which translates to “between the lakes” in Portuguese.
While this vision sought to bear fruit for the local communities within Interlagos, the 1929 New York Stock Market crashed. The crash affected Brazilian politics and Sanson’s project, which included an envisioned race circuit.
However, this financial setback did not affect the Brazilian racing community. The need for speed thrived, with street races emerging within the Municipality of Rio and São Paulo.
However, this construct of racing bred catastrophe. French driver Hellé-Nice lost control of her Alfa Romeo, causing a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of four individuals and the injury of many more onlookers.
An event like this one underscores the urgent need for a dedicated racing facility that is safer than its competitors. So, a call for a new and safer environment for racing was needed.
Shortly after the crash of Hellé-Nice, the president of the Automobile Club of Brazil, Eusébio de Queiroz Mattozo, pressed Sanson in the request to complete the Interlagos circuit. In 1938, construction began. It was announced in 1939 that the circuit was complete even though the inaugural event would be delayed to the 12th of May, 1940.
But it would not be for another 33 years until Formula 1 officially debuted around the Interlagos circuit. In 1973, the day was filled with celebration as their home hero, Emerson Fittipaldi, took the chequered flag in front of the Brazilian fans ahead of Jackie Stewart by over 13 seconds.
Four years later, upon his tragic death in a plane crash in 1977, Brazilian Formula One driver José Carlos Pace renamed the Interlagos circuit Autódromo José Carlos Pace in 1985. One of the most notable achievements of his career was winning the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix while driving for Brabham, finishing ahead of his fellow countryman, Emerson Fittipaldi.
This victory was particularly significant because Pace accomplished it on home soil. It was making him a Brazilian national hero. Interlagos remains a cornerstone of Brazilian motorsport, blending its historic charm with modern safety and facilities.
Track Layout
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace not only creates but also precision driving around this 4.3-kilometre circuit. Consisting of 15 turns, 10 to the left and five to the right, drivers will navigate around this circuit for 305 kilometres of on-track action or 71 laps.
Like Mexico, the Interlagos circuit consists of two DRS zones. The first DRS Zone is located just after Turn 3, ‘Curva do Sol,’ and the final DRS zone is located straight after Turn 14, ‘Subida dos Boxes’. But as we’ve seen, if the drivers maintain their composure chasing the car in front heading up from Junção, Turn 12, the reward can be overtaking the rival in front before Turn 1.
Iconic Features
What makes the Interlagos circuit stand out from other circuits on the Formula 1 calendar is its unpredictability, as we’ve seen in numerous races where teams have had to react quickly as the race switches from dry to wet tyres. The wet weather has shown some of the most memorable races in Formula 1 history. One could argue the championship finale in 2008 that has created some twists and turns.
Another notable aspect is the track’s altitude. At nearly 800 meters above sea level, it doesn’t present the same challenges as Mexico City’s thin air, but it does impact engine performance and car setup.
Memorable Moments at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Ayrton Senna’s Emotional Home Victory (1991): No discussion of Interlagos would be complete without mentioning Senna’s first win at his home Grand Prix in 1991. After years of frustration in front of his home crowd, Senna finally triumphed, but not without drama. In the race’s final stages, the Brazilian struggled with gearbox issues. They were forcing him to drive with incredible precision. Exhausted and emotionally overcome, Senna could barely lift the trophy afterwards, but the victory remains one of the most iconic in Formula 1 history.
Kimi Räikkönen’s Title Triumph (2007): Interlagos hosted one of the most dramatic season finales in 2007. Kimi Räikkönen, driving for Ferrari, entered the race third in the championship standings behind McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Against the odds, Räikkönen secured victory while his rivals faltered, clinching the title by just one point.
Lewis Hamilton’s First Championship (2008): The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix delivered perhaps the most dramatic finish to a Formula 1 season in history. Lewis Hamilton needs to finish fifth to secure his first World Championship. It appeared out of contention as the race entered its final lap. However, in a last-lap twist, Hamilton passed a slowing Timo Glock on the final corner to claim fifth place and the title. Breaking the hearts of Ferrari and home favorite Felipe Massa, who had crossed the line in first believing he had won the championship.
Max Verstappen’s Wet-Weather Masterclass (2016): The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen deliver one of the finest wet-weather drives in recent memory. The Dutchman showcased his immense car control in treacherous conditions, overtaking multiple cars in the final stages to finish third. His bold moves and fearless driving earned him widespread acclaim and cemented his reputation as one of Formula 1’s brightest talents.
Live Timings – British Standard Time (BST)
Friday (1st November)
2:00 pm – Brazilian Grand Prix Practice One – (Session begins at 2:30 pm)
5:30 pm – Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying – (Session begins at 6:30 pm)
Saturday (2nd November)
1:00 pm – Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint – (Session begins at 2:00 pm)
5:00 pm – Brazilian Grand Prix Qualifying – (Session begins at 6:00 pm)
Sunday (3rd November)
3:30 pm – Brazilian Grand Prix – (Session begins at 5:00 pm)
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Ferrari Now Second Place: The Championship Hunt Is On!” or “Mexico Grand Prix: Home to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez”
