After a short break, F1 will reconvene at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2015 season.
It is the 44th Brazilian Grand Prix in F1 history and the 32nd time the event has taken place at Interlagos.
F1 debuted in Brazil back in 1973, with drivers racing on a longer and more challenging 4.975 mile layout, which was used up until 1977 and again in 1979 and 1980.
However, due to safety concerns and the very bumpy nature of the track surface, the track was removed from the F1 schedule and instead the Brazilian GP was moved to the Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro.
Extensive modification at Interlagos meant the sport returned to the circuit in 1990, using the shortened layout that we see today for the first time. Having previously been known as Interlagos, it was renamed after former Brazilian F1 driver Carlos Pace in 1985, following his death in a plane crash in 1977.
Re-surfacing has taken place at the circuit in recent years. There were plans to move the pit and paddock complex to the straight between Turn 3 and Turn 4 but instead the current location has been completely redeveloped for this year’s race.
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, hardly comparing to the last race in Mexico, but it still has a significant impact on the cars.
Interlagos has produced some incredibly iconic moments, including several dramatic championship climaxes. Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 triumph is the perfect example and Jenson Button claimed his 2009 title in dramatic fashion in Brazil. Unlike his 2008 and 2014 championships, Hamilton wrapped up the 2015 drivers’ crown at the United States Grand Prix with three rounds still to go, one race after Mercedes secured the constructors’ title.
A lap of Interlagos 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 3 – 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 5 is a flat-out left, before a short uphill straight that leads to the twisty infield section. Turn 6 and Turn 7 make up a high-speed, double-apex right-hand corner, before the slow right-hand hairpin of Turn 8. Traction around the winding second sector is very important.
The ninth corner is a long left-hand hairpin, followed by another short burst on the power. Turn 10 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, and now features a chicane after last year’s modification.
Pirelli has opted for the soft and medium compound tyres for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. The track is physically demanding for drivers due to the anti-clockwise layout, while the cars are pushed hard thanks to the bumpy surface, undulations, long straights and challenging corners.
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, Button and Nico Rosberg have all won the race, but interestingly Hamilton has not. Meanwhile McLaren and Ferrari lead the constructors' win tally with 12 and 10 respectively.
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
2014 race winner: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:10.023
2014 fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:13.555
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC
 |
| © Mercedes AMG Petronas |
F1 debuted in Brazil back in 1973, with drivers racing on a longer and more challenging 4.975 mile layout, which was used up until 1977 and again in 1979 and 1980.
However, due to safety concerns and the very bumpy nature of the track surface, the track was removed from the F1 schedule and instead the Brazilian GP was moved to the Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro.
 |
| © Williams Martini Racing |
Extensive modification at Interlagos meant the sport returned to the circuit in 1990, using the shortened layout that we see today for the first time. Having previously been known as Interlagos, it was renamed after former Brazilian F1 driver Carlos Pace in 1985, following his death in a plane crash in 1977.
Re-surfacing has taken place at the circuit in recent years. There were plans to move the pit and paddock complex to the straight between Turn 3 and Turn 4 but instead the current location has been completely redeveloped for this year’s race.
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, hardly comparing to the last race in Mexico, but it still has a significant impact on the cars.
Interlagos has produced some incredibly iconic moments, including several dramatic championship climaxes. Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 triumph is the perfect example and Jenson Button claimed his 2009 title in dramatic fashion in Brazil. Unlike his 2008 and 2014 championships, Hamilton wrapped up the 2015 drivers’ crown at the United States Grand Prix with three rounds still to go, one race after Mercedes secured the constructors’ title.
 |
| © Red Bull Content Pool |
A lap of Interlagos 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 3 – 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 5 is a flat-out left, before a short uphill straight that leads to the twisty infield section. Turn 6 and Turn 7 make up a high-speed, double-apex right-hand corner, before the slow right-hand hairpin of Turn 8. Traction around the winding second sector is very important.
The ninth corner is a long left-hand hairpin, followed by another short burst on the power. Turn 10 is another tricky right-hand hairpin. Overtakes can be completed here, particularly in the wet.
 |
| © Scuderia Ferrari |
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, and now features a chicane after last year’s modification.
Pirelli has opted for the soft and medium compound tyres for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. The track is physically demanding for drivers due to the anti-clockwise layout, while the cars are pushed hard thanks to the bumpy surface, undulations, long straights and challenging corners.
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, Button and Nico Rosberg have all won the race, but interestingly Hamilton has not. Meanwhile McLaren and Ferrari lead the constructors' win tally with 12 and 10 respectively.
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
2014 race winner: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:10.023
2014 fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:13.555
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC
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