Interlagos Circuit (Interlagos)

Interlagos Circuit (Autódromo José Carlos Pace)

Definition and Historical Status
The Interlagos Circuit, officially known as the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, is situated on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, and stands as one of the most storied circuits in motorsport history. The track was named in honour of Brazilian F1 driver José Carlos Pace, who took a memorable home victory here in 1975 before tragically losing his life in a plane crash in 1977, with the circuit officially adopting his name in the 1980s. "Interlagos" translates to "between lakes" in Portuguese, as the venue was originally built on a wetland lake basin, retaining its natural bowl-like topography to this day. Having staged its first FIA Formula One World Championship Brazilian Grand Prix in 1973, Interlagos has hosted more than 40 Grands Prix, serving as the spiritual home of South American motorsport.

Track Layout and Core Characteristics
The circuit measures 4.309 km in length, runs in an anti-clockwise direction, and features 15 corners (5 right-handers and 10 left-handers), with the Grand Prix contested over 71 laps for a total race distance of 305.879 km. Perched in a natural basin roughly 800 metres above sea level, it is the second-highest altitude venue on the F1 calendar, surpassed only by Mexico City. The highest point sits at Turn 1, while the lowest lies at Turn 5, creating an elevation drop of 43 metres. Drivers are on full throttle for approximately 68% of the lap, with the circuit famed for its flowing mix of medium- to high-speed corners and undulating gradient changes, demanding exceptional front-end downforce and mechanical traction.

Iconic Section: The Senna S
The opening sequence running from the start-finish straight down to Turn 3 is famously known as the "Senna S" (Senna S), making it one of the most iconic opening complexes in Formula 1. Cars charge flat-out off the grid into the heavy braking zone of Turn 1, flicking swiftly through the downhill direction changes of Turns 2 and 3 before exiting onto the Curva do Sol. This section serves as the primary overtaking hotspot as well as a frequent flashpoint for opening-lap drama. The eight technical corners across the middle sector demand constant steering adjustments with virtually no room to breathe, putting drivers' physical endurance and focus to the ultimate test.

Track Surface and Weather Challenges
Interlagos is notorious for its abrasive and bumpy asphalt; built on unstable ground, the uneven surface has long posed setup headaches for drivers and race engineers alike. Defending champion Max Verstappen once highlighted that the bumps were severe enough to force drivers off the optimal racing line just to preserve their tyres, even in damp conditions. Ahead of the 2025 race, extensive resurfacing works were carried out across Turns 1 to 3 and Turns 12 to 1, alongside the cutting of drainage grooves to boost track clearance during wet running. São Paulo's microclimate is infamous for its volatility, where sudden downpours can flood the track within minutes, having set the stage for some of the most dramatic wet-weather races in Grand Prix history.

F1 History and Classic Moments
Interlagos has played host to several iconic title-deciding showdowns in F1 history. In the wet 2008 title decider, Lewis Hamilton famously passed Timo Glock at the final corner on the final lap to clinch his maiden World Championship by just a single point—widely regarded as the most heart-stopping championship finale ever. In 1991, local hero Ayrton Senna soldiered home stuck in sixth gear to claim an emotional home win, collapsing from severe muscle cramps on the podium in what remains an indelible memory for Brazilian fans. McLaren holds the constructor record at the Brazilian venue with 13 total victories, 9 of which were scored around Interlagos, with the most recent delivered by Lando Norris in 2025.

Lap Records
The official race lap record stands at 1:10.540, set by Valtteri Bottas behind the wheel of a Mercedes in 2018. The outright qualifying lap record is 1:09.511, clocked by McLaren in 2025.

2026 Season Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix took place at Interlagos from 6 to 8 November as Round 21 of the championship. In qualifying, Norris secured pole position. The race was run in treacherous, torrential rain, where Verstappen fought back from 17th on the grid, capitalising on multiple safety car periods and red flags to pull off a stunning comeback victory. Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished second and third respectively, securing the team's first double podium of the season, while Norris crossed the line in sixth place.