Interlagos Circuit
It is internationally known for hosting the Lollapalooza music festival. It has hosted the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix since 1973. It also hosted the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix in 1992, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft in 1996, the FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010, and the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2012 to 2014. As the major racetrack in the country it also hosted many previous and active national championships such as Stock Car Brasil, Campeonato Sudamericano de GT, Fórmula Truck, Copa Truck, Formula 3 Sudamericana, Brazilian Formula Three Championship, and Mil Milhas Brasil. In addition, the Prova Ciclística 9 de Julho road cycling race was held at the venue from 2002 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2013.
History
The land on which the circuit is located was originally bought in 1926 by property developers who wanted to build housing. Following difficulties partly due to the 1929 stock market crash, it was decided to build a racing circuit instead; construction started in 1938 and the track was inaugurated on 12 May 1940. Its design was inspired by tracks such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Roosevelt Raceway in the United States, Brooklands in England, and Montlhéry in France.
The traditional name of the circuit, Interlagos (in Portuguese, "between lakes"), comes from its location on the neighborhood of the same name, a region between two large artificial lakes, Guarapiranga and Billings, built in the early 20th century to supply the metropolitan region of São Paulo with water and electric power. The name "Interlagos" was suggested by the French architect and urban planner Alfred Agache after the Interlaken region located in Switzerland. Interlagos was renamed in 1985 to "Autódromo José Carlos Pace" in honor of the Brazilian Formula One driver José Carlos Pace, who died in a plane crash in 1977.
Formula One started racing at Interlagos in 1972, when the event was run as a non-championship race (won by Argentinean Carlos Reutemann). The first World Championship Brazilian Grand Prix was held there in 1973, and it was won by defending Formula One World Champion and São Paulo local Emerson Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi won the race again the following year, and José Carlos Pace won his only race at Interlagos in 1975.
Due to safety concerns with the 7.960 km (4.946 mi) original layout, including a bumpy surface, the inadequate barriers, deep ditches and embankments, the last Formula One race held on the original Interlagos was in 1980, when it was nearly cancelled after protests by many Formula One drivers – including defending world champion Jody Scheckter. The safety concerns were directed towards the track surface, which BBC commentator Murray Walker described as "appallingly bumpy". Most of the ground-effect cars of 1980 were designed in such a way that bumpy surfaces were barely tolerable for the drivers. These factors meant that Formula One would move back to the Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro, hometown of established star Nelson Piquet and where the Brazilian Grand Prix was held in 1978. After Formula One moved away, the only major race being held at Interlagos was the Mil Milhas Brasil, and the last major race on the original circuit was the 1989 Mil Milhas Brasil. Formula One returned to the circuit in 1990 after it had been shortened and modified at a cost of $15 million. The track layout, aside from the pit exit being extended along the "Curva do Sol" over the years has remained the same since 1990.
The circuit is often witness to dramatic results when it hosts the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix, especially since its move to an end of season slot in 2004. Fernando Alonso won both the 2005 and 2006 world titles in Brazil, with Renault also clinching the constructors' title in 2006. Kimi Räikkönen won the 2007 World Championship here after being seven points down and in third place in the championship entering the final race of the season. Felipe Massa almost won the 2008 Driver's World Championship when he finished the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix as winner, but after he finished, Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock and was crowned World Champion. Despite Rubens Barrichello's pole position in 2009, Mark Webber won the race and Jenson Button won the championship for Brawn after starting 14th. Williams got their first pole since 2005 here at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix with Nico Hülkenberg. The race was won by Sebastian Vettel, and with Mark Webber coming second, Red Bull secured the constructors title; however the driver's title was not confirmed until the last race of the season.
During the weekend of the 2023 race, one roof in the complex came off because of bad weather.
Characteristics
One of the main characteristics of Interlagos is that it was not built on flat terrain, but follows the ups and downs of hilly ground, which makes it harder to drive and demands more power from the cars' engines. The races therefore can be tough on the car and physically demanding on the drivers, especially since the circuit runs counterclockwise, where the centrifugal forces in the many hard left turns push the drivers' necks to the right, instead of left as in most of the circuits on the F1 calendar. The hilly course is also a good feature for road cycling races, which are usually held at the circuit.
Additionally to the physical aspects there is also a climate component to the venue, the region where the track is located is known for having rapid changes in weather with outbursts of rain being common, which can vary from a short lived drizzle to a torrential storm. This can add a degree of unpredictability to the races and it's classically associated with the circuit. The city of São Paulo itself where the circuit is located is known by the nickname "Land of the Drizzle".
First reform
In 1979 upgrading work was done and the pit lane was extended past the first left-hand turn (1), making the corner more narrow, and the pit lane ended right in the middle of turn 1 and 2. The present design of the track dates back to 1990, when the original circuit was shortened from 7.87385 km (4.89258 mi) to 4.325 km (2.687 mi). As a consequence of the reduction, the track lost three long straight sections and nine fast curves (5 were lost forever, 4 were made slower and are still present). The original track was full of fast corners and it allowed cars to keep maximum speed for up for many seconds, it was considered dangerous, and in 1990 the old layout was mostly revised. The new track still had a very long top-speed section that contained bumps, high-speed turns and little run-off area though the track was very wide at this point.
Improvement in 2007
For the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, the largest-scale repairs in the last 35 years were carried out at the circuit, to fundamentally solve problems with the track surface. The existing asphalt was entirely replaced, resulting in a much smoother track surface. At the same time, the pit lane entrance was enhanced to improve safety and to add a new fixed grand stand. To facilitate the work, the circuit was closed and no events were held in the five months immediately preceding the race.
On 17 October 2007, Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) began to operate the new station of the Line C (currently called Line 9), Autódromo, near the circuit. The Line C had been extended to improve the access between the center of São Paulo and southern region of the Greater São Paulo including the circuit, improving circuit accessibility.
Planned 2012 redevelopment
Shortly before the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix, FIA race director Charlie Whiting detailed several planned upgrades of the circuit, including a new pit entrance and expanded run-off at the final corner, as a response to several fatal accidents at the circuit in 2011. In June 2012, further details of the proposed plans emerged, calling for the construction of a brand new pit building and the relocation of the start line from its current position between Arquibancadas and the Senna 'S' to Reta Oposta. However, later it was decided to keep start/finish straight at its current location along with the new pit building.
Pit lane
Interlagos has one of the longest pit-lanes ever used in Formula One, starting just before the start-finish straight and rejoining the main course after Curva do Sol. Entering the pits was originally not a trivial task, as the high speed and the left turning may force the car rightwards, out of the pits. The pit lane entrance received some changes to become safer for the 2007 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix, and later for the 2014 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix, when a chicane was added.
Layout history
-
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1940–1979)
-
Grand Prix Circuit (2nd Variation) (1980–1989)
-
The track as it was redesigned in 1990 (the latest major modification of the track, which saw only minor modifications since then)
-
Motorcycle Circuit (1992)
-
Overlay showing the differences between present-day and 1973 layouts
Track layout
Race start is in the "Tribunas" section and features a long straight with an upward inclination, then comes "S do Senna" (the Senna S) [1,2], a pair of alternating downward turns (left then right) that exhibit different attack angles and inclinations.
"S do Senna" connects with "Curva do Sol" (Curve of the Sun) [3], a round-shaped large-radius left turn that leads to "Reta Oposta" (Opposite Straight) the track's longest (but not the fastest) straight. Reta Oposta is succeeded by a pair of downhill left turns that are called "Descida do Lago" (Lake's Descent) [4,5] into a short straight section that climbs up towards the back of the pit buildings.
This is followed by a slow section, with small, kart-like turns and elevation changes. The first of these turns is known as "Ferradura" (Horseshoe) [6,7] downhill and right into "Laranjinha" (Little Orange) [8], another right turn and the slowest point of the circuit; the next turn leads into "Pinheirinho" (Little Pine Tree) [9], left on a plain field; then comes "Bico de Pato" (Duck Bill) [10] a right turn with a tight hairpin like shape; and then "Mergulho" (Dive) [11], a constant-radius left-hand turn that slings the driver straight into a harder left at "Junção" (Junction) [12].
Turn [13] "Café" (Coffee), is a left up-hill kink and marks the start of the long top-speed section. Rising up through "Subida dos Boxes" (Up to the Pits) [14], the driver encounters a long uphill left turn with a gradient of 10% that demands a lot of power from the cars. At the end of it comes Arquibancadas (Bleachers) [15], a wide high velocity left turn that connects to the "Tribunas" straight to complete the final section of the track.
The series of left turns from the exit of "Junção" all the way to Turn 1 is typically taken at full throttle and treated as a long straight. This section is one of the longest full-throttle stretches on the Formula 1 calendar, and thus demanding of the engine's reliability. Other notable stretches of this nature are the "Rettifilo Tribune" straight at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and the Kemmel Straight at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
List of the corners with their names (the numbers correspond to the current layout, from start to finish line):
- 'S' do Senna (Senna S) (1,2)
- Curva do Sol (Curve of the Sun) (3)
- Descida do Lago (Lake's Descent) (4,5)
- Ferradura (Horseshoe) (6,7)
- Laranjinha (Little Orange) (8)
- Pinheirinho (Little Pine Tree) (9)
- Bico de Pato (Duck's Bill) (10)
- Mergulho (Dive) (11)
- Junção (Junction) (12)
- Café (Coffee) (13)
- Subida dos Boxes (Up to the Pits) (14)
- Arquibancadas (Bleachers) (15)
Events
- Current
- January: Mil Milhas Brasil
- February: Brazilian Superbike Championship
- March: Brazilian Superbike Championship
- April: TCR South America Touring Car Championship, Stock Car Pro Series, Stock Series, Porsche Cup Brasil, F4 Brazilian Championship, Turismo Nacional BR, Brazilian Superbike Championship, TCR Brazil Touring Car Championship
- May: Brazilian Superbike Championship
- June: Brazilian Superbike Championship, Moto 1000 GP
- July: FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of São Paulo, TCR World Tour, TCR Brazil Touring Car Championship, TCR South America Touring Car Championship, Brazilian Superbike Championship
- August: NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, Copa Truck, Porsche Cup Brasil, Brazilian Superbike Championship
- November: Formula One São Paulo Grand Prix, Porsche Cup Brasil, F4 Brazilian Championship, Brazilian Superbike Championship
- December: Stock Car Pro Series, Stock Series, F4 Brazilian Championship, Turismo Nacional BR
- Future
- Fórmula Truck (1996–2016, 2021–2022, 2025)
- Former
- Brazilian Formula Three Championship (2014–2017)
- Campeonato Sudamericano de GT (2007–2013)
- Ferrari Challenge North America (2013)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (2010)
- Fórmula Academy Sudamericana (2018–2019)
- Formula BMW Americas (2008)
- Formula 3 Brazil Open (2010–2014)
- Formula 3 Sudamericana (1987, 1989–1993, 1995, 1998–1999, 2003–2011, 2013)
- Formula One
- Brazilian Grand Prix (1972–1977, 1979–1980, 1990–2019)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- International Formula 3000 (2001–2002)
- International Touring Car Championship (1996)
- Le Mans Series (2007)
- Prova Ciclística 9 de Julho (2002–2006, 2008–2013)
- South American Super Touring Car Championship (1997–1999)
- Stock Car Brasil
- Stock Car Corrida do Milhão (2010–2013, 2016, 2019–2020)
- TC2000 Championship (2007)
- Top Race V6 (2009–2010)
- World Series by Nissan (2002)
Lap records
As of December 2024, the fastest official lap records at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace are listed as:
See also
- Interlagos
- Cidade Dutra
- Socorro
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Santo Amaro
- Subprefecture of Capela do Socorro
Notes
- ^ Autódromo José Carlos Pace's Grade 1 license expired 12 November 2024. It will feature on the 2025 Formula One World Championship calendar, so the license will have to be renewed.
References
- ^ Interlagos circuit history Archived 30 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine – Official Brazilian Grand Prix website
- ^ Wolfe, Joel (2010), Autos and Progress: The Brazilian search for Modernity, New York City: Oxford UP, p. 234 (footnote 66), ISBN 978-0-19-517456-4
- ^ "History - The Interlagos Race Track". www.autodromointerlagos.com/. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016.
- ^ Keilloh, Graham (8 January 2020). "Rain, fire and the winds of change: the 2003 Brazilian GP may be F1's craziest race". Motor Sport magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Storm rips roof off stand at Sao Paulo GP qualifying | 'This is absolutely crazy!'".
- ^ "Interlagos será fechado para reforma" (in Portuguese). www.folhadaregiao.com.br/. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "As obras em Interlagos" (in Portuguese). www.autodromointerlagos.com/. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
- ^ "FIA tem uma justificada preocupação com o GP Brasil de Fórmula 1" (in Portuguese). www.gpbrasil.com.br/. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "Alargamento da entrada dos boxes, para maior segurança dos pilotos" (in Portuguese). www.autodromointerlagos.com/. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "Reforma deve acabar com problemas no asfalto de Interlagos" (in Portuguese). www.clicabrasilia.com.br/. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "Estação Autódromo é inaugurada nesta quarta-feira" [Autodromo station opens this Wednesday] (in Portuguese). CET – Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
- ^ "Inauguração da estação Autódromo dá largada para o metrô de superfície em SP" [Autódromo station inauguration signals beginning of light rail in SP] (in Portuguese). CET – Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego. 18 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
- ^ "Circulação de trens ganha esquema especial para GP Brasil de F1" [Train circulation to follow special scheme for Brazilian F1 GP] (in Portuguese). CET – Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego. 18 October 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
- ^ "Inauguração da estação Autódromo marca início do metrô de superfície, na capital" [Autódromo station inauguration marks beginning of light rail in the capital] (in Portuguese). CET – Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego. 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
- ^ "CET Operação Interlagos 2007" (in Portuguese). CET – Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
- ^ "Governador Geraldo Alckmin dá Início Às Obras de Extensão da Linha C" (in Portuguese). CPTM – Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos. 21 November 2005. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
- ^ "Companhia Inicia Obras Para Beneficiar População da Grande São Paulo" (in Portuguese). CPTM – Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos. 27 December 2005. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
- ^ Collantine, Keith (22 November 2011). "Single DRS zone in Brazil and track changes for 2012". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ "F1: Ecclestone Approves Plan To Move Interlagos Pits". SPEED. News Corporation. 15 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ^ "Brazilian Grand Prix F1 venue Interlagos begins major revamp". Edd Straw. Autosport. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ "2014 FIA WEC - 6 Hours of Sao Paulo Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 30 November 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "2024 FIA WEC - Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo - Final Classification By Driver Fastest Lap" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "2002 F3000 International Championship Interlagos Race Statistics". 30 March 2002. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Samaia e Iorio são os vencedores da F-3 Brasil em Interlagos". 11 September 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "2002 Formula Nissan Interlagos (Race 2)". 8 December 2002. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ "2007 Le Mans Series Mil Milhas". 10 November 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Interlagos 500 Kilometres 2018". 21 December 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "500 km de Interlagos 34° edição 2018 standings". Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "2022 1000 Milhas Corrida Provisional Results". 23 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "39° 1000 Milhas do Brasil 2022 standings". Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "2024 Brazilian Formula 4 Interlagos (Race 1)". 2 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "6E - Porsche Cup C6 Bank 2024 - Corrida 2 - Provisional Results". 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "2019 Stock Car Pro Series XI Corrida do Milhão". 25 August 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "2004 Brazilian Formula Renault Round 11: Interlagos, 24th October - Race Result". 13 December 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Mil Milhas Brasileiras 2020". 16 February 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "37° 1000 Milhas do Brasil 2020 standings". Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "2008 Formula BMW Americas Interlagos (Race 1)". 1 November 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "TCR SA 2021 » Autódromo José Carlos Pace Round 1 Results". 27 June 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "Mil Milhas Brasileiras 2001". 28 January 2001. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Brasil GT São Paulo 2010 /2". 16 May 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Alan Hellmeister - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Super Final 2024 - Interlagos - 6a Etapa Stock Series - 1a Prova" (PDF). 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ "Brasil GT São Paulo 2011 /3". 18 December 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Fábio Greco - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "SASTC 1999 » Autódromo José Carlos Pace Round 1 Results". 11 April 1999. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ [hhttps://www.racingyears.com/race/2007%2520Turismo%2520Competici%25C3%25B3n%25202000%2520S%25C3%25A3o%2520Paulo "2007 Turismo Competición 2000 São Paulo"]. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "2019 Resultados, Fecha 1, Interlagos SP - Carrera 1". 8 September 2019. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Special Edition - Autódromo do Interlagos/SP - 02 a 04/Augusto/2024 - NASCAR Brasil - Race 1" (PDF). 3 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "2022 Turismo Nacional - 3a Etapa São Paulo - 2a Prova S/E" (PDF). 7 August 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "Copa Truck Corrida 1 - 7a Etapa Truck Race (25:00 Time) started at 14:06:12 - Autódromo de Interlagos - 13/12/2020" (PDF). 13 December 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "2016 Stock Car Pro Series Interlagos". 11 September 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "1998 Formula 3 Sudamericana Grande Prêmio de Sao Paulo". 27 September 1998. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ "500 km Interlagos 1997". 8 September 1997. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "SASTC 1998 » Autódromo José Carlos Pace Round 12 Results". 13 December 1998. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "1993 Interlagos Sud-Am F3 - Round 5". Motor Sport Magazine. 18 July 1993. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Mil Milhas Brasileiras 1994". 22 January 1994. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Autódromo José Carlos Pace - Motorcycle Variant". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Interlagos - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "1972 Interlagos F2". Motor Sport Magazine. 12 November 1972. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Copa Brasil Interlagos 1972". 17 December 1972. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Sud-Am Tournoi de Sao-Paulo 1971". 12 December 1971. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "I Torneio Internacional de Formula 3 Race 2". 17 January 1971. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ "GP Interlagos 1952". 13 January 1952. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
External links
- Official website Archived 20 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- Info from the Official Formula 1 Website
- Official Brazilian Grand Prix website (English site)
- SaoPauloEsportes.com
- Info from BBC's circuit guide
- Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace History and Statistics
- Autódromo José Carlos Pace on Google Maps (Current Formula 1 Tracks)
- Ciro Pabón's Racetracks 3D views and virtual laps of all F1 circuits, including this one, via Google Earth
- Geographic data related to Interlagos Circuit at OpenStreetMap
- Subprefecture of Capela do Socorro