SÃO PAULO GP

12-14 November 2021 Autódromo José Carlos Pace

THE MAIN EVENT

It’s nearly 50 years since Interlagos hosted its first F1 race, the 1972 non-championship Brazilian GP won by the late Carlos Reutemann in a Brabham (Red Bull ‘driver advisor’ Helmut Marko was fourth in a BRM). Then just short of five miles long, the circuit has changed much in the interim and survived a number of challenges from other tracks for the privilege of hosting the country’s race, which will be known as the São Paulo GP for the next five years.

Despite frequent resurfacing, this is a bumpy track which presents a major physical challenge to drivers. In combination with the bumps, the anticlockwise layout and relentless nature of the corners makes this a physically fatiguing event. The weather can be unpredictable, too, though that never puts off the passionate local crowd.

2019 RACE RECAP

Max Verstappen won from pole position in an eventful encounter which ended with Lewis Hamilton third on the road, but subsequently penalised for a clumsy late-race challenge on Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Alex Albon. While it was a bad day for Mercedes – Valtteri Bottas retired with a hydraulics failure – it was worse for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel took each other out while disputing fourth place.

While a no-doubt colourful debrief unfolded in the Ferrari motorhome, Pierre Gasly took second place for Toro Rosso while Carlos Sainz inherited third (via Hamilton’s penalty) to claim Mclaren’s first podium finish since 2014.

KEY CORNER: TURN 12 Marginally less challenging to nail in an F1 car than it is to pronounce correctly, Junção is a fourth-gear left-hander made more significant for being the gateway to the long straight which follows.

RACE DATA

Venue Autódromo

José Carlos Pace

First GP 1973

Laps 71

Circuit length 2.677 miles Race distance 190.082 miles Lap record 1m10.540s Valtteri Bottas (2018)

F1 races held 37

Winners from pole 16

Pirelli compounds C2, C3, C4

CAR PERFORMANCE Downforce level Medium Cooling requirement Medium Full throttle 60%

Top speed 202mph Average speed 131mph

TIMETABLE (UK TIME)

Friday 12 November Practice 1 15:30-16:30 Qualifying 19:00-20:00 Saturday 13 November Practice 2 15:00-16:00 Sprint Race 19:30-20:00 Sunday 14 November Race 17:00

Live coverage Sky Sports F1 Highlights Channel 4