Brazil: Interlagos track facts

By Phil Huff
October 19 2007

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 had three sections resurfaced in 2006, and has been substantially improved for this season), the bumps remain.

The circuits location - in a natural bowl just outside Sao Paulo, between two lakes - leaves 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 2007 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, run in changeable conditions, Rubens Barrichello started fifth on the grid, but dropped back slightly to seventh by the end. In contrast, Jenson Button lined up a disappointing 14th, but improved dramatically through the race to end up in third, the podium result bringing the season to a close on a high.