Just a few days after the action-packed United States Grand Prix, the F1 paddock will reconvene in São Paulo, Brazil, this weekend.
The classic Autódromo José Carlos Pace, also known by its former name Interlagos, will host the penultimate round of the 2014 Formula 1 season.
It is the 42nd time that the Brazilian Grand Prix has been part of the F1 schedule and the 25th event to use the current 2.677 mile layout, with the longer and more challenging 4.975 mile track being raced on between 1973 and 1977, as well as 1979 and 1980.
The charming circuit - renamed in 1985 after former Brazilian F1 driver Carlos Pace, who died in a plane crash in 1977 – is renowned for being extremely bumpy, but re-surfacing work has been completed ahead of this year’s race. Meanwhile a chicane has been added at the pit lane entry.
Plans for a new pit and paddock complex to be built between turns three and four were cancelled earlier in the year. Instead, the current buildings will be demolished after the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix and will be replaced for next season’s event by a new, modern facility.
The naturally-undulating track requires plenty of compromise when it comes to car set-up. This is because it includes several long straights and flat-out sections, as well as a tight and twisty infield loop. It is located 800 metres above sea level, which means turbo and ERS efficiency will be crucial to maximise horsepower this weekend.
Interlagos has produced some incredibly iconic moments, including several dramatic championship climaxes. Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 triumph is the perfect example, but despite leading the 2014 drivers’ title, he can’t be crowned champion in Brazil.
The Englishman’s 24-point advantage over his team-mate Nico Rosberg means the fight for the championship will go down to the wire at the double points finale in Abu Dhabi. However, things can change very quickly in the world of F1 and both drivers will be eager to secure a strong result this weekend.
A lap of the popular track, which has remained largely unchanged since it returned to the F1 calendar in 1990, begins on the long start/finish straight. The first two corners make up the iconic, downhill left-right ‘Senna S’ chicane. This is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit, especially with the first of two DRS zones being positioned on the main straight.
Turn three – also known as ‘Curva do Sol’ - is a long, sweeping left-hander that leads on to the back straight. The pit lane exit follows the opening few corners, with cars re-joining to the left-hand side. This is where the second DRS zone will be placed and is where the first sector ends.
The fourth corner features a heavy braking zone, making it another good place to make a move. Contact often takes place here on the opening lap, with the field bunching up into the medium-speed left-hander. Turn five is a flat-out left, before a short uphill straight that leads to the twisty infield section.
Turns six and seven make up a high-speed, double-apex right-hand corner, before the slow right-hand hairpin of turn eight. Traction around the winding second sector is very important. Turn nine is a long left-hand hairpin, before a short burst on the power.
The 10th corner is another tricky right-hand hairpin. Overtakes can be completed here, particularly in the wet. A good exit is crucial for the run through the high-speed left of turn 11, which then leads on to another short straight. This is where the second sector ends.
Turn 12 is very important, as it is the last time that the brakes will be applied in the lap. The medium-speed left-hander leads on to the long, flat-out final section. The 13th, 14th and 15th corners are all taken flat-out as speeds build and drivers go through the gears. However, this section can be tricky in wet weather conditions. The pit entry is to the left, just prior to the final turn.
Pirelli originally announced that the hard and medium tyres would be taken to Brazil for the event. However, following criticism, the Italian supplier changed the compound nominations to the soft and medium tyres.
The track is physically demanding for drivers due to the anti-clockwise layout, while the cars are pushed hard thanks to the usually bumpy track surface, undulations, long straights and challenging corners. With several big braking zones, expect plenty of lock-ups this weekend.
Alain Prost is the most successful driver in the event’s history, with six F1 victories in Brazil. Michael Schumacher is next up on the table with four wins. Ayrton Senna famously triumphed twice on home soil in 1991 and 1993. From the current grid, Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button have all won the race.
Both 2014 title challengers are searching for their first Brazilian Grand Prix victory this weekend. With it being an engine track, the Mercedes W05 looks set to be the car to beat once again. Red Bull Racing's RB10 should be strong in the second sector, while Ferrari, Williams and McLaren are all likely to be in the mix.
With the absence of Marussia and Caterham in Brazil, the field will once again include just 18 cars and F1's financial state will continue to be a hot topic in the Interlagos paddock. The weather looks set to play a big part in the race weekend and the track always produces spectacular racing.
Brazilian Grand Prix Fact File
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Track Length: 2.676 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 15
Laps: 71
First race: 1973
Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya, BMW Williams, 2004, 1:11.473
Tyre compounds: Soft and medium
2013 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2013 pole position: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 1:26.479
2013 fastest lap: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 1:15.436
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (highlights on BBC One)
 |
| © Mercedes AMG Petronas |
It is the 42nd time that the Brazilian Grand Prix has been part of the F1 schedule and the 25th event to use the current 2.677 mile layout, with the longer and more challenging 4.975 mile track being raced on between 1973 and 1977, as well as 1979 and 1980.
The charming circuit - renamed in 1985 after former Brazilian F1 driver Carlos Pace, who died in a plane crash in 1977 – is renowned for being extremely bumpy, but re-surfacing work has been completed ahead of this year’s race. Meanwhile a chicane has been added at the pit lane entry.
 |
| © Red Bull/Getty Images |
Plans for a new pit and paddock complex to be built between turns three and four were cancelled earlier in the year. Instead, the current buildings will be demolished after the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix and will be replaced for next season’s event by a new, modern facility.
The naturally-undulating track requires plenty of compromise when it comes to car set-up. This is because it includes several long straights and flat-out sections, as well as a tight and twisty infield loop. It is located 800 metres above sea level, which means turbo and ERS efficiency will be crucial to maximise horsepower this weekend.
Interlagos has produced some incredibly iconic moments, including several dramatic championship climaxes. Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 triumph is the perfect example, but despite leading the 2014 drivers’ title, he can’t be crowned champion in Brazil.
The Englishman’s 24-point advantage over his team-mate Nico Rosberg means the fight for the championship will go down to the wire at the double points finale in Abu Dhabi. However, things can change very quickly in the world of F1 and both drivers will be eager to secure a strong result this weekend.
A lap of the popular track, which has remained largely unchanged since it returned to the F1 calendar in 1990, begins on the long start/finish straight. The first two corners make up the iconic, downhill left-right ‘Senna S’ chicane. This is the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit, especially with the first of two DRS zones being positioned on the main straight.
 |
| © Sahara Force India F1 Team |
Turn three – also known as ‘Curva do Sol’ - is a long, sweeping left-hander that leads on to the back straight. The pit lane exit follows the opening few corners, with cars re-joining to the left-hand side. This is where the second DRS zone will be placed and is where the first sector ends.
The fourth corner features a heavy braking zone, making it another good place to make a move. Contact often takes place here on the opening lap, with the field bunching up into the medium-speed left-hander. Turn five is a flat-out left, before a short uphill straight that leads to the twisty infield section.
Turns six and seven make up a high-speed, double-apex right-hand corner, before the slow right-hand hairpin of turn eight. Traction around the winding second sector is very important. Turn nine is a long left-hand hairpin, before a short burst on the power.
The 10th corner is another tricky right-hand hairpin. Overtakes can be completed here, particularly in the wet. A good exit is crucial for the run through the high-speed left of turn 11, which then leads on to another short straight. This is where the second sector ends.
Turn 12 is very important, as it is the last time that the brakes will be applied in the lap. The medium-speed left-hander leads on to the long, flat-out final section. The 13th, 14th and 15th corners are all taken flat-out as speeds build and drivers go through the gears. However, this section can be tricky in wet weather conditions. The pit entry is to the left, just prior to the final turn.
 |
| © Scuderia Ferrari |
Pirelli originally announced that the hard and medium tyres would be taken to Brazil for the event. However, following criticism, the Italian supplier changed the compound nominations to the soft and medium tyres.
The track is physically demanding for drivers due to the anti-clockwise layout, while the cars are pushed hard thanks to the usually bumpy track surface, undulations, long straights and challenging corners. With several big braking zones, expect plenty of lock-ups this weekend.
Alain Prost is the most successful driver in the event’s history, with six F1 victories in Brazil. Michael Schumacher is next up on the table with four wins. Ayrton Senna famously triumphed twice on home soil in 1991 and 1993. From the current grid, Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button have all won the race.
Both 2014 title challengers are searching for their first Brazilian Grand Prix victory this weekend. With it being an engine track, the Mercedes W05 looks set to be the car to beat once again. Red Bull Racing's RB10 should be strong in the second sector, while Ferrari, Williams and McLaren are all likely to be in the mix.
With the absence of Marussia and Caterham in Brazil, the field will once again include just 18 cars and F1's financial state will continue to be a hot topic in the Interlagos paddock. The weather looks set to play a big part in the race weekend and the track always produces spectacular racing.
Brazilian Grand Prix Fact File
 |
| © Formula1.com |
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Track Length: 2.676 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 15
Laps: 71
First race: 1973
Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya, BMW Williams, 2004, 1:11.473
Tyre compounds: Soft and medium
2013 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2013 pole position: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 1:26.479
2013 fastest lap: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, 1:15.436
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (highlights on BBC One)
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