After two thrilling weekends in the Americas, Formula 1 heads to Brazil for the final stop on this latest triple header of the calendar. Known for its deep racing heritage, Brazil has given F1 some of its most legendary moments, with the Interlagos circuit consistently delivering high-stakes, unforgettable races.
The track’s unique layout and unpredictable weather keep
teams and drivers on their toes, ready to adapt to every twist and turn. Let’s
explore the specific challenges of this iconic circuit and see how the teams
are preparing to face them.
All you need to know about Interlagos
better known as Interlagos, is a 4.309 km track where
drivers will tackle 71 laps on Sunday. The circuit requires utmost precision
from both drivers and car setups due to its mix of long straight and tight
corners. This place has seen some fantastic weekends over the years, especially
in 2021. Overtaking here is generally easier than at many other tracks, and we
can almost certainly expect a two-stop race, adding an extra layer of
excitement.
One common thread across all three races in the American leg
has been newly resurfaced tracks. In Austin and Mexico, only a few sections
were repaved, while in Brazil, the entire track – including the pit lane – has
been resurfaced.
This presents engineers with a challenging weekend, as the
new surface introduces a lot of unknowns. Adding to the complexity, Brazil
hosts a sprint weekend, meaning only one practice session before sprint
qualifying. This limited time makes it harder for teams to gather all the data
needed to fine-tune car balance to match the new asphalt.
Therefore, as we saw in Austin, the single practice and
sprint race will be crucial for teams to collect as much information as
possible to best prepare for Sunday. We can also expect lap times to improve
significantly as the weekend progresses, thanks to the “rubbering-in” effect on
the fresh surface.
To make things even more unpredictable, Pirelli has decided
to bring softer tyres than last year, with the hard compound as C3, the medium
as C4, and the softest as C5. Last year, nearly all drivers started the main
race on softs, then switched to mediums, ending the race again on red-marked
tyres.
And let’s not forget about the unpredictable weather, which
can change in an instant over Brazil.
Brazilian Grand Prix: Aerodynamic setups for the weekend
Teams generally go for a mid-to-high downforce package to
optimise grip on Interlagos’ twisty infield while maintaining stability through
iconic corners like Senna’s S and Curva do Sol. However, balancing downforce
with low drag is essential for high speeds on the long main straight.
From the images above, we can see that high-downforce setups
are favoured by many teams, especially Aston Martin and Red Bull. Rear-end
stability is crucial here, with the rear-right tyre taking the most strain, as
Interlagos is an anti-clockwise track. Given all factors, keeping rear tyres
within the optimal temperature range will likely be tougher than usual.
A team worth highlighting is McLaren, who brings a new rear
wing to this race. We saw earlier upgrades from McLaren that brought solid
gains, and these changes appear to be refinements to those updates.
The rear wing’s main plate now has a different central
shape, with a “spoon” geometry that’s more pronounced. The DRS plane remains at
a steep angle, enhancing top speed with the system open.
Another detail noticeable in the rear wing images are the
load measurement points, used later by the FIA to check for wing flexing.
After the race, the FIA will use footage from the rear
cameras to monitor any wing deflection against permitted limits. This isn’t
new, but the number of load points has increased, now placed in pairs for
better monitoring.
.webp)
