Brazil: A decisive Grand Prix in the title race?
As is often the case in Formula 1 history, the Brazilian Grand Prix could well be the scene of the world title decider. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton could well seal their fate on the Sao Paulo track, which often holds surprises in store.
« Interlagos is home for me. I hope to enjoy every lap and fight to finish the race with a good result. It won’t be easy, but I will do everything for my people and for Brazil, for my last race at home »
If his remarks do not address the layout of the circuit or the race, we have symbolically chosen to honor Felipe Massa, who will compete in a Brazilian Grand Prix with a lot of emotions, just two races away from retirement. Like Monza, Monaco, or Spa-Francorchamps, the Interlagos circuit is also a monument of Formula 1. From 2004 to 2008, the José Carlos Pace circuit located in Sao Paulo hosted the final round of the world championship before it was moved to Abu Dhabi on the Yas Marina circuit. Felipe Massa holds the record for the most laps led on the Brazilian track among active drivers, with a total of 183 laps.
Follow an onboard lap with Sebastian Vettel driving the Ferrari.
Amputated but still on the schedule
For the first time in 1973, the José Carlos Pace circuit hosted the Brazilian Grand Prix, and it was Emerson Fittipaldi who won this inaugural race. The track is named after the local eponymous driver, who competed in the premier discipline between 1971 and 1977, the year he died in a plane crash. He held only one Formula 1 victory, and it was on this track during the opening Grand Prix of the 1975 season, driving the Brabham BT44.
Built at the end of the 1930s, the circuit was named Interlagos due to its location between two artificial lakes created by the city of Sao Paulo: Guarapiranga and Billings. Located in the south of Sao Paulo, the circuit is at an altitude of 800 meters and the track used between 1973 and 1980 measured 7.96 km.
From 1981 to 1989, the Interlagos layout was abandoned by Formula 1 in favor of the Jacarepagua circuit located in Rio de Janeiro. This transfer was a success for Alain Prost, the Professor, as he won five times on the Rio track in nine seasons.
During the 1990 season, Formula 1 returned to Sao Paulo, but the old circuit had radically changed. While the interim was ensured in Rio, the Interlagos circuit underwent major modifications.
The first part of the circuit was considered too fast and too dangerous, despite any accidents. There was also talk of significantly shortening the 7km960.
In the end, the track was reduced by almost half, with the new course now measuring 4.309km.
Once again, Alain Prost won the Brazilian Grand Prix, bringing his total victories to six, making him the record holder for the most wins on Brazilian soil. Carlos Reutemann and Michael Schumacher each have four victories.
The drivers’ world championship title as the main issue:
Let’s not hide it: the main interest of this Grand Prix lies in the race for the drivers’ world title. The two Mercedes gladiators are only separated by 19 points, in favor of Nico Rosberg. If the German wins the race, he secures the world title, regardless of Lewis Hamilton’s result.
But other scenarios are also possible for Rosberg to be crowned as early as Sunday.
.@nico_rosberg can make #F1 history this weekend…
https://t.co/wXDfnzye6F #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/IUdac9uAkr
— Formula 1 (@F1) 10 novembre 2016
Hamilton must win the race to keep his chances alive for fighting for the crown in Abu Dhabi. He could even retake the lead in the championship if, by chance, Rosberg doesn’t finish the race. This would represent an unexpected turnaround for the Brit, but entirely credible.
The advantage still remains with Nico Rosberg, who clinched the last two victories in Sao Paulo, while Lewis Hamilton has never won in Brazil, even though his first world title was secured at the José Carlos Pace circuit in 2008.
The other battle in the championship concerns the Force India and Williams teams. The two teams have been neck and neck all season, separated by only a few points, specifically nine, their on-track battle is likely to be exciting to follow.
Felipe Massa will clearly be keen to shine one last time in front of his home crowd, having experienced the thrill of two victories right here and a world title that he owned for a few seconds before handing it over to… Lewis Hamilton.
But at Force India, Nico Hülkenberg also has fond memories of Brazil since he signed his only pole position to date there driving a Williams in his first season in the premier motorsport category in 2010.
To (really) know everything…
Former F1 driver, Mika Salo will be the driver steward for this Brazilian Grand Prix. A paddock member from 1994-2002, the Finn drove for Lotus, Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Ferrari, Sauber, and Toyota during his eight seasons (he did not race in 2001). During his Formula 1 career, he stood on the podium twice with Ferrari in 1999 while replacing the injured Michael Schumacher. After single-seaters, he ventured into GT and endurance championships. In 2007, he became the champion of the American Le Mans Series in GT2, and in the 2008 and 2009 editions, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in GT2, driving a Ferrari F430.
After two North American rounds where the tire trio was super-soft/soft/medium, the orange-banded tire makes its return this week in Brazil. Drivers will therefore have at their disposal the soft, medium, and hard compounds, but the latter is generally avoided with only one set carried by most drivers. In terms of strategy, a 2 or 3-stop race will be favored, but one-stop gambles are not ruled out.
You can find the individual choices of the drivers below
#BrazilGP: When was the last time we saw orange #PZero tyres at #Interlagos? https://t.co/pfAFyeB9rv pic.twitter.com/efLxAKY2IB
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 8 novembre 2016
Regarding the DRS system, two zones are determined on the Interlagos track. The first detection zone, placed in the Senna esses (turns 1 and 2), allows the use of the system on the straight line between turns 3 and 4, while the second detection zone is located at the exit of turn 13 and allows the use of the system on the start-finish straight.
If you scan the sky between the passing of single-seaters, you will notice a rather cloudy sky, as was the case in Mexico for the testing days. Air temperatures around 20-25°C are expected on Friday, allowing for good sessions despite the risks of showers and storms. Saturday is expected to be grayer and cooler. For the race on Sunday, the conditions should be similar to Saturday’s, with rain potentially making an appearance with showers during the Grand Prix.
Don’t forget the TV schedule!
Specific schedules for South America, you will need to free up your afternoons to follow all the sessions this weekend.
