Interlagos

Interlagos F1 circuit guide

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, more commonly referred to as Interlagos to reflect the area where it's based, is one of the longest-serving and most iconic venues on the Formula calendar.

Ever since 1990 this famous venue has hosted a Brazilian Grand Prix, missing only 2020 due to the global coronavirus pandemic. After doubts over the future of this venue and a possible switch to a new venue in Rio de Janeiro suggested, Interlagos's future was saved by a new deal until 2025, with the event becoming known as the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Consisting of 15 turns, Interlagos is a technically challenging 2.677-mile circuit, where the weather is famous for changing in the blink of an eye and making an already tricky circuit even more demanding of a driver's ability.

Since 2004 Interlagos has served as one of the latter races in a Formula 1 season, and over the years has served up many classic title-deciders.

Interlagos F1 circuit information

Interlagos is one of a minority of non-oval racing circuits to go in an anti-clockwise direction. It's certainly popular among the drivers with the weather and constant elevation changes making this a very challenging venue, and one where the result can never be taken for granted before the chequered flag.

Turn 1 - A very tricky left turn which drops downhill under braking. In the wet it's treacherous.
Turn 2 (S do Senna) - Brief acceleration into this right bend with the track opening up on exit.
Turn 3 - A flowing left bend which runs alongside the pit exit.
Turn 4/5 (Descida do Lago) - Down the short back straight into this double left-hander, accelerating out of the first apex and keeping the throttle planted through Turn 5.
Turn 6 (Ferradura) - The track straightens up into this fast right bend.
Turn 7 - The bend continues with another apex at Turn 7.
Turn 8 - On the brakes for this tight right bend.
Turn 9 (Pinheirinho) - Keeping that line as the track drifts into this left curve. Stick to the inside kerb and accelerate out.
Turn 10 - A slight right kink just before the upcoming braking zone
Turn 11 (Bico do Pato) - Into another slow right, this can be very tricky to get the braking spot in when the rain is falling.
Turn 12 (Murgulho) - A sweeping left curve taken at full throttle.
Turn 13 (Juncao) - The left bend of Juncao is a common overtaking spot, especially in the wet. It's also very easy to go straight onto the grass.
Turn 14 - Effectively part of the pit straight, just a curve to the left.
Turn 15 - And another left curve shortly before the pit entry on approach to the grid.

Interlagos schedule: 2021 Sao Paulo F1 Grand Prix

Friday, November 5, FP1: 1130-1230

Friday, November 5, FP2: 1500-1600

Saturday, November 6, FP3: 1100-1200

Saturday, November 6, Qualifying: 1500

Sunday, November 7, Race: 1400

(local times)

Interlagos tickets: how to get them for the big race

Formula 1 are asking fans to leave an e-mail address on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix ticket page so that they can be notified once tickets go on general sale.

Grandprixevents.com are also asking fans to do this, and are well worth checking out when tickets go on sale.

Interlagos ticket lowdown: things to note

While Interlagos doesn't have quite as many viewing areas as some of the more modern tracks in Formula 1, that certainly doesn't detract from its carnival atmosphere in any way.

Grandstand A is the largest on the track, and your positioning is important. Half of the grandstand overlooks the final section as drivers exit Juncao and power into Turn 14. It then continues through Turn 14 and onto the main straight.

Grandstand B is the perfect position for spectators to follow the grid formation, the action on the start/finish line and the podium ceremony. That is followed by the newly-built Grandstand M which offers views of Turns 1 and 2, as well as all the action in the pit lane.

Grandstand Q, located down the back straight after Turn 3 is the low-cost Grandstand of Interlagos. Watch as the drivers decelerate from over 330km/h before to 160 km/h. It's an impressive sight.

That is preceded by Grandstand R, in-line with the pit exit. As well as prime views of turns 1, 2 and 3, which often produces chaotic scenes at the start, fans have the benefit of a giant TV screen nearby.

For a more luxurious experience, get yourself in either the Orange Tree or Interlagos Club. The Premium Paddock Club is located right above the pit lane. Access includes premium trackside views with gourmet hospitality and extra benefits such as a guided track tour and photo safari experience.

Interlagos directions: how to get there

São Paulo has several airports. Guarulhos (GRU) is the main one, while the second-busiest is Congonhas (CGH) and Viracopos (VCP) is the smallest and lesser-known airport of the three.

From there the best way to get to the circuit is to take the metro with other fans, or a taxi/Uber. With a Bilhete Único smartcard, which is used for paying bus, metro and train fares and issued at underground stations, you can take the metro from virtually anywhere in the city to the Autodromo metro station in Interlagos, which is just 600 meters from the circuit’s entrance.

Do be cautious as Sao Paulo suffers from a lot of petty crime. Pickpocketing and thefts are common.

Address: Av. Sen. Teotônio Vilela, 261 - Interlagos, São Paulo - SP, 04801-010, Brazil

Interlagos history, memorable races and past winners

Arguably Interlagos has provided the most title-deciding, controversial and thrilling Formula 1 moments of any venue on the active Formula 1 calendar.

Back in 1991 Ayrton Senna won on home soil for the first time, despite having only sixth gear left by the end. His exhaustion was so great that he had to be extricated from his car.

Skip forward to 2003 at it was Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella who was feeling emotional after pulling off the most unlikely of race wins, though initially it had been Kimi Raikkonen who was declared race winner before that call was overturned.

The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix went down as one of the greatest races of all time as Sir Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock with just a few corners to go, snatching the World Championship from Felipe Massa who had already begun celebrating in front of the home crowd.

A year before that rank outsider Kimi Raikkonen claimed the 2007 title despite having come to Interlagos seven points adrift of top spot. Fernando Alonso also sealed his 2005 and 2006 titles at Interlagos.

Jenson Button went from P14 on the grid to cross the line P5 in 2009, taking the title for Brawn in what remains one of Formula 1's great underdog stories, while the 2012 title-decider in Brazil went down in history for Sebastian Vettel's dramatic championship charge to take his third World Championship by three points.

Max Verstappen was keen to add to Interlagos's history of drama when he squared up to Esteban Ocon after the pair collided in 2018 when Ocon attempted to unlap himself. That cost Verstappen the win and his pushing and shoving of the Frenchman in the pitlane earned him community service.

Drivers with most wins

Michael Schumacher, 4 wins (1994, 1995, 2000, 2002)
Sebastian Vettel, 3 wins (2010, 2013, 2017)

Teams with most wins

Ferrari, 9 wins (1976, 1977, 1990, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017)
McLaren, 8 wins (1974, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2012)
Red Bull, 5 wins (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019)
Mercedes, 4 wins (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018)

Last 10 wins

2019 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2018 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2017 - Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2016 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2015 - Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2014 - Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2013 - Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2012 - Jenson Button, McLaren
2011 - Mark Webber, Red Bull
2010 - Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull

Interlagos F1 circuit fastest lap

Valtteri Bottas currently holds the race lap record at Interlagos, setting a 1:10.540 in his Mercedes W09 on Lap 65 of the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Sir Lewis Hamilton's 1:07.281 to take pole for the 2018 Brazilian GP remains the outright lap record at Interlagos.

Interlagos F1 circuit: what the drivers say

Fernando Alonso: "The Brazilian fans are always super passionate and it’s clear Interlagos is one of those legendary tracks that is so famous in the motorsport world. Great champions have driven on this circuit."

Carlos Sainz: "The track is quite challenging with a number of elevation changes and a variety of cambers in the corners. It feels like a rollercoaster ride!"

Sergio Perez: "Racing in Brazil is always special because it’s the home of my hero, Ayrton Senna."

Brazilian Grand Prix Schedule November 5-7

Practice 1	5 Nov 2021 11:30 AM
Practice 2	5 Nov 2021 3:00 PM
Practice 3	6 Nov 2021 12:00 PM
Qualifying 1	6 Nov 2021 3:00 PM
Qualifying 2	6 Nov 2021 3:00 PM
Qualifying 3	6 Nov 2021 3:00 PM
Race	7 Nov 2021 2:00 PM