Formula One has been hosted by Brazil since 1973, and 2007 marks the country’s 35th Grand Prix. The debut event was held in Interlagos, with the track still covering 7.96 kilometres at the time and located outside the city limits.

The most densely populated metropolis in the southern hemisphere has long since mushroomed right up to the outskirts of the race track.

In 1978 the Brazilian GP was held at the Jacarepagua circuit near Rio de Janeiro for the first time, where it was hosted ten times in all.

Since 1990 Formula One has been staged on the much shortened Interlagos race track, which has undergone a series of minor upgrades.

The city of São Paulo, founded in 1554, is the capital of the southern Brazilian state that bears its name and that is the largest area of concentrated industry in Latin America. São Paulo is a financial and trading hub as well as a huge, sprawling metropolis. Its population is currently estimated at 11 million. Extreme social divides, widespread poverty and rising crime figures ensure that the city is never far from the headlines.

São Paulo lies 750 metres above sea level and the circuit just beyond it has an elevation of around 800 metres. The thin air at this altitude means all Formula One engines forfeit around eight percent of their potential power.

Winner 2006: Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1 hr 31:53.751 min

Pole position 2006: Felipe Massa, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:10.680 min

Fastest lap 2006: Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:12.162 min

Current lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya, BMW WilliamsF1 Team 1:11.473 min (2004)

Data (2006 race):

Full-throttle percentage: 64%

Top speed: 306 km/h

Longest full-throttle section: 17 sec / 1,210 m

Right-/left-handers: 5/10

Gearshifts per lap: 36

Tyre wear: medium

Brake wear: low

Downforce level: medium to high