Brazil
Track guide
Brazil is a firm favourite Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar for drivers and fans alike. It’s played host to a number of championship deciding races and has a habit of providing unpredictable results.
Carry on reading for the ULTIMATE track guide!
Quick Stats
Lap distance: 4.309km
Race distance: 305.879km (71 laps)
Corners: 15 DRS zones: 2
Fastest lap: 1:10.540 (V.Bottas, 2018)
Track Characteristics
Interlagos is one of the shortest laps on the calendar but it is far from an easy track to race around. With the track being 800m above sea level, and also being an anti-clockwise circuit, it can be a taxing one on the drivers. The short lap means there is very little time to rest and recover from the strain the anti-clockwise track puts on the drivers bodies, (particularly their necks!) And the high altitude at the track means the air is just that bit thinner so it can be more difficult to catch your breathe!
Despite that, this track is known for being a good one for overtaking. The overtaking opportunities come thick and fast. The final long straight is a perfect time to use the slip stream and DRS to your advantage and with the cambered Turn 1 approaching, you can take either the inside or outside line to try and make the move stick.
The weather can be very unpredictable at this time of year in Brazil. When it rains, it pours. However, it can lead to incredible, nail-biting racing. Strategists are likely to be sat on the edge of their seats looking at the weather radars hoping the rain doesn’t arrive.
Effect on car
Interlagos is a track which is on the lower side of fuel consumption. It is also low on brake wear with there being 6 braking zones and only 2 of those being heavy ones.
As aforementioned, Interlagos has some cambered corners meaning drivers need to be careful to not lock their front tyres. Turn 1 is a corner which tends to catch drivers out with front-wheel locking as the track drops away at the apex.
With the track being 800m above sea level, the high altitude has an affect on the downforce levels so the cars are usually ran with medium to high downforce. A compromise in regards to downforce has to be made between the two long straights and the twisty sector 2.
1
1
1
Past Winners
2022 Race recap!
This week, Cyd, Rhiannon and Merisse digest the Brazilian Grand Prix.
They talk about Max Verstappen ignoring team orders, Russell's maiden win and Magnussen's magnificent pole position.
2021 race recap!
It was an absolute masterclass from Lewis Hamilton after his disqualification from Qualifying due to some rear-end issues... Max Verstappen also had a peak at Hamilton's rear end and got himself into some trouble for that too!
The race did not disappoint with close racing from start to finish, it was the Grand Prix that gets all fans hyper. Lilly, Devon and Merisse digest the weekends antics in this episode!
