Interlagos

Interlagos
Name	Autódromo José Carlos Pace
Nickname	Interlagos
Location	São Paulo, São Paulo (state), Brazil
Capacity	120,000
Opened	1940
Owner	Autódromo José Carlos Pace S/A
Length km	4.309
Length mi	2.677
Turns	15
Record time	1:11.473
Record driver	Valtteri Bottas
Record year	2018
Record class	Formula One

Interlagos is the popular name for the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, a permanent motor racing circuit in São Paulo, Brazil. The venue is one of the most iconic tracks in Formula One history and hosts major international events alongside regional championships. Located in the southern district of Interlagos (district) the facility has a storied association with celebrated drivers, teams, promoters, and governing bodies.

History

The circuit was constructed in 1938 and inaugurated in 1940 during the presidency of Getúlio Vargas, arising from development plans for the Cidade Universitária and nearby Autódromo de Interlagos initiatives. Early promoters included Antônio Augusto Carvalho Pinto and sports clubs tied to Federação Paulista de Automobilismo. The track hosted Brazilian endurance events and national championships, attracting competitors from Stock Car Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro de Turismo, and Brazilian Grand Prix precursors. In the 1970s the venue entered the Formula One World Championship calendar, where it became associated with championship-deciding races involving drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Alan Jones, and Niki Lauda. Renamed to honor José Carlos Pace after his death, the circuit underwent safety upgrades led by collaborations with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and architectural input following trends set by FIA Grade 1 standards. Redevelopments were driven by organizers including FOM and local authorities such as the São Paulo City Hall.

Circuit layout and characteristics

The present circuit layout is a clockwise 15-turn configuration measuring approximately 4.309 km, featuring elevation changes comparable to historic venues like Spa-Francorchamps and handling demands reminiscent of Monza chicanes. Notable corners include the fast downhill entry at the Senna S, the sweeping right of Curva do Sol, and the technical Ascari-like sequence of S do Senna that tests chassis balance used by manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull Racing, and McLaren. The mix of long straights and tight infield turns favors high downforce setups similar to those deployed at Hungaroring rather than pure top-speed circuits like Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The asphalt, drainage, and cambers were modernized during refurbishment programs influenced by engineering teams from Williams Grand Prix Engineering and tyre manufacturers including Pirelli (company), affecting tyre degradation strategies and pit stop windows.

Major events and racing series

Interlagos hosts the Brazilian round of Formula One—the Brazilian Grand Prix—alongside rounds of Stock Car Brasil, Superbike World Championship tests, and historic festivals such as the Fórmula Ford retrospectives. The venue has staged rounds of FIA World Endurance Championship support events and served as a testing ground for manufacturers including Volkswagen Group marques, Ford Motor Company, and Honda (Honda Racing F1 Team). Promoters such as Octagon (sports marketing) and broadcasters including ESPN and Sky Sports have televised events worldwide, while the circuit has been the scene for championship conclusions that involved teams Scuderia Ferrari, Team Lotus, Williams F1, BMW Sauber, and Sauber Motorsport.

Lap records and statistics

Official lap records at Interlagos reflect classes from Formula One to touring car categories. The overall Formula One lap record of 1:11.473 was set by Valtteri Bottas in 2018 driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Historic records include fastest race laps by drivers like Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, and Felipe Massa during their stints with Scuderia Ferrari and Brawn GP. Touring car benchmarks were set in Stock Car Brasil by drivers affiliated with teams such as Full Time Sports and WA Mattheis. Statistical analyses produced by Opta Sports and FIA archives document pole positions, average speeds, lap time distributions, and race start-to-finish variability influenced by weather patterns typical of São Paulo.

Facilities and infrastructure

The complex includes grandstands, pit and paddock facilities, hospitality suites, and media centers meeting requirements of broadcasters like TV Globo and international press outlets such as The Guardian and BBC Sport. Paddock buildings house team garages for Formula One entrants and support categories with race control operated via timing partners like TAG Heuer and Acronis. Access infrastructure connects to Avenida Interlagos and public transit nodes serving Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, with parking, spectator services, and safety marshals coordinated by CBMM and local emergency services allied to Corpo de Bombeiros do Estado de São Paulo.

Cultural significance and media appearances

Interlagos is embedded in Brazilian motorsport culture, celebrated in memorials to Ayrton Senna, documented in documentaries produced by Netflix and HBO, and depicted in video games from Codemasters and Polyphony Digital as official circuit content. The circuit appears in films, music videos, and literature referencing Brazilian sport icons like Pelé and Garrincha by association with national pride. International magazines such as Autosport, Motor Sport (magazine), and Road & Track have featured Interlagos in coverage, while photographers from Getty Images and Agence France-Presse capture famed moments tied to teams like Red Bull Racing and riders from MotoGP tributes.

Category:Motorsport venues in Brazil Category:Formula One circuits