São Polo Grand Prix – Presentation and editorial predictions

Track presentation.

The Brazilian Grand Prix takes place on the José Carlos Pace circuit, named after a former Brazilian Formula 1 driver who died in 1977, and who won the 1975 edition.

Located in Interlagos (between the lakes), a neighborhood of Sao Paulo, it offers a unique track to our 20 actors in this championship since 1990. Unique, because the layout is very hilly and turns counterclockwise. It takes 4.3 km to complete a lap, so it is a short track, but also very technical.

Two DRS zones:

After a start/finish line on a slight curve and an uphill section where the DRS can be activated, the drivers enter an off-camber S called the Senna S. This part is conducive to overtaking. It also conditions the second straight of the circuit, which is also the second DRS zone.

Circuit length: 4.309km

Number of laps in the race: 71

Track record: 1:07.281 (Lewis Hamilton, 2018)

Most wins record: Alain Prost (6), McLaren (12)

Pole position record holder: Ayrton Senna (6), McLaren (11)

A thrilling 2019 edition, a layout conducive to action.

At five laps to go, the young wolf Charles Leclerc is battling with his teammate Sebastian Vettel. It’s a disaster for Ferrari as both drivers retire.

When the safety car releases the drivers, Max Verstappen, solid leader, sets the pace. Behind, Lewis Hamilton wants to quickly get back in his wake. He gets impatient and harpoons Alex Albon.

This racing event allows Pierre Gasly to take second place. He once again thrills us by fighting to keep this place on the podium facing Mercedes n°44. He manages to do so by a very narrow margin.

Finally, the British driver is penalized with a 5-second penalty after the race for his collision with Albon, which puts Carlos Sainz on the third step of the podium, his first in F1.

This atypical track is conducive to overtaking and on-track action. There is no doubt that with four rounds to go before the end of the 2021 season, this weekend will be full of surprises.

The new race format, tested for the third time this year, should spice up the Grand Prix even more for the enjoyment of the spectators.

Tires provided by Pirelli

Pilots are now accustomed to these tires. This is the choice most often made by the Italian company.

For the Brazilian Grand Prix, once again it will be the C2, C3, and C4 compounds that will make up the teams’ allocation.

An intermediate range in which the C2 in white is the hardest offer, the C4 in red the softest, and the C3 in yellow the intermediate version.

The short and intense Interlagos lap is one of the relatively few anti-clockwise layouts on the calendar. The non-stop succession of corners keeps the tyres working hard. #BrazilianGP 🇧🇷 #F1 #Fit4F1 #Formula1 #Pirelli https://t.co/JaOuV9wAxg pic.twitter.com/KFXgvWgIHp

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 8, 2021

Editor’s predictions

The Mexican Grand Prix revealed the great form of the Red Bull team. They are confident. Their lead driver is trying things and achieving feats. As for the strategists, they guide cars 11 and 33 optimally.

On the Mercedes side, the negative spiral is starting. The whole team seems shaky. In any case, they are no longer dominating the other teams.

With a Lewis Hamilton plagued by doubts, and a Valtteri Bottas who does not seem more motivated than that to help his team, it is obvious that they arrive in Brazil as outsiders.

The predictions:

On a track that seems more suitable for Austrian single-seaters, it is not surprising that Max Verstappen is leading the way. Both in qualifying, in the sprint qualifying, and at the end of the race.

For the second place, opinions are more divided, but Lewis Hamilton often comes back. Even though he appears resigned in his comments, he will never give up. Second place seems to be the best result he can achieve… Once again this season.

For the third step of the podium, even if Valtteri Bottas is often mentioned, it should be noted that Leclerc, Perez, Norris, Sainz, and Gasly are also in contention. This position seems to be fiercely contested.