A Corner-by-Corner Guide to Interlagos

It's São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, and I am beside myself with excitement about who is going to win this race and close the gap on Lando, or even Lando, the current championship leader, pulling away. 

This race track is universally known as Interlagos, and it's always an exciting race, where the weather plays a huge part.

At 4.309 km with 15 turns, Interlagos is one of the shortest circuits on the calendar. 

Yet, its unique anti-clockwise direction and dramatic elevation changes make it one of the most physically demanding for the drivers.

Let's take a quick, exhilarating run through the key sections that define this iconic venue.

Sector 1: Senna's Signature and the Overtaking Zone

• Turns 1 & 2 (Senna 'S'): The lap begins with the run down the long, sweeping, downhill start/finish straight. 

• Drivers brake hard for this iconic left-right chicane, named after the legendary Ayrton Senna. It is the prime overtaking opportunity on the track and sets the tone for the entire lap. Securing a clean and swift exit is crucial here.

• Turn 3 (Curva do Sol): A medium-speed left-hander that is essential for maximising speed onto the following straight.

Sector 2: Technicality and Rhythm

• Turns 4 & 5 (Descida do Lago): This left-left sequence descends towards a lake, demanding careful throttle control and a stable car as the gradient changes. It often presents an additional overtaking chance if a rival has compromised their line.

• Turns 6 & 7 (Ferradura): A downhill, high-speed right-hander resembling a horseshoe. This section tests the car's balance and aerodynamic grip by applying continuous lateral loads. Overtakes here are rare but spectacular.

• Turns 8 to 11 (The Infield): This is the slow, tight, snaking infield section—an actual test of a driver's rhythm, patience, and the car's mechanical grip. Corners like Pinheirinho (T9) and Bico de Pato (T10) require smooth steering input and precision to avoid spinning, particularly in the wet.

Sector 3: Power, Banking, and the Final Climb

• Turn 12 (Junção): A critical left-hand corner that marks the end of the slow infield. A clean exit here is paramount, as it leads directly onto the final, long, full-throttle blast.

• Turns 13, 14, & 15 (Subida dos Boxes / Arquibancadas): This is the final, epic section: a sustained, uphill, full-throttle run past the pitlane and the main grandstands. 

• The track features banking, giving the cars a slingshot effect. This section demands maximum engine power and is where dramatic title deciders—like the 2008 and 2012 finales—have played out.

The Interlagos Challenge: The Climate and the Clock

Interlagos is one of the shortest tracks on the calendar, but its challenging nature, unique anti-clockwise direction, and high altitude (800m above sea level, second only to Mexico City) test driver endurance and cooling systems. 

Add to this the ever-present threat of sudden rainstorms, and you have a recipe for one of the most unpredictable and exciting races on the F1 calendar.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!