Brazil: Interlagos Track Facts

By Phil Huff
October 18 2006

The anti-clockwise Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, a shadow of its original 1940's self, remains a fearsome challenge for F1 pilots, with tight infield sections, a huge straight and, of course, the infamously bumpy track surface.

Despite endless resurfacing (it's had three sections resurfaced in 2006), the bumps remain thanks to the circuits location - just outside Sao Paulo, between two lakes. The natural bowl constantly subsides, leaving the track surface rippled.

Chassis set up is, therefore, critical here. The car needs to ride the bumps well, yet have good cornering ability. It also needs to be suited to the very slow, tight infield section, as well as the long start/finish straight, although the latter is really more of a gentle curve. Aerodynamic efficiency is the key at this circuit, getting as much downforce for as little drag as possible.

Since the race moved to the end of the season in 2004, the weather conditions have been cooler, although just as wet. However, forecasts suggest the 2006 race, the final event of the F1 World Championship, will remain dry throughout the weekend.

Honda's first visit to Brazil in 1984 brought a podium finish, as Keke Rosberg finished second for Williams-Honda in Rio. In 1986 Nelson Piquet registered Honda's first Brazilian success, taking victory in his Williams-Honda ahead of local hero Ayrton Senna.

Ayrton Senna tasted success in his home Grand Prix in 1991, the Brazilian going on to secure the 1991 World Championship in his Honda-powered McLaren. Sao Paolo born Senna won all three of his F1 world championships and 32 of his 41 Grands Prix victories with Honda power.

At last years race, Jenson Button started the race from fourth on the grid, while team mate Takuma Sato suffered a difficult build up and elected not to set a qualifying lap. Tyre issues dropped Button back to seventh by the end of the race, while Sato suffered a suspension failure and limped home to 10th.