Brazil: Interlago Track Guide


By Phil Huff
October 15 2009

The anti-clockwise Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, a shadow of its original 1940's self, remains a fearsome challenge for F1 pilots, with tight infield sections, a huge straight and, of course, the infamously bumpy track surface.

Despite endless resurfacing (it had three sections resurfaced in 2006, and was substantially improved for last season), the bumps remain.

The circuits location - in a natural bowl just outside Sao Paulo, between two lakes - leaves the track surface rippled. Chassis set up is, therefore, critical here. The car needs to ride the bumps well, yet have good cornering ability. It also needs to be suited to the very slow, tight infield section, as well as the long start/finish straight, although the latter is really more of a gentle curve.

Aerodynamic efficiency is the key at this circuit, getting as much downforce for as little drag as possible. Since the race moved to the end of the season in 2004, the weather conditions have been cooler, although just as wet. However, forecasts suggest the 2008 race, the final event of the F1 World Championship, will remain dry throughout the weekend.

At last years season ending race Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button lined up a distant 15th and 17th places. A poor race saw Jenson rise slightly to 13th, while Rubens ended the day where he started. Both drivers were a lap down from eventual winner Felipe Massa, while Lewis Hamilton took the world title by finishing in fifth place.

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