Brazilian Grand Prix Preview

With formula one teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg left as the only men that can win the 2014 Formula One World Championship, the F1 grid now moves to Brazil this weekend, for a high altitude and a very hot (weather wise) circuit at Interlagos.

This track has been around for a long time, and some adjustments have been made to it. Of course it does rain here and the runoff a few years ago was changed so the water will not stay on the circuit. But otherwise, the race track is still in its classic version and the 71 laps that are run on race day can mean that it is a short track with plenty of overtaking chances. The circuit began in 1974, when Brazilians Emerson Fitipaldi and Carlos Pace were the main draw for the fans. The former went on to win the race in his Brabham. Sadly though, Pace lost his life a year later in a plane crash, and in his honor, the Circuit basically is known as the Circuit de Carlos Pace.

Of course when everyone comes to this city of Sao Paulo, which is where Interlagos is, nobody can forget that this is where the late Aryton Senna is buried, and his honor is still alive today. Senna only won this race one time, in 1991, that was so tough that Senna could not get out of the car for a while afterwards because of exhaustion. Senna unfortunately was killed in Imola, Italy, three years later, and many fans and sometimes drivers, visit the grave of this three time world champion.

Considering the track is rarely used, the main problem is the bumpiness of the circuit, which can make any driver lose control very easily. The circuit itself begins going uphill at the start/finish line, followed by a left right combination at Senna S, then to Curve del Sol and onwards to a straightaway. After this, the track heads back uphill to the second S curve, which ends at Juncao. This ends up with the power increasing at Subida dos Boxes, which the driver can increase his speed back to the start/finish line.

The track is quick in most areas, and with the already mentioned hot weather and altitude changes, the drivers expect to get very sweaty in their suits, plus the change of altitude can affect the newly inspired hybrid engines, which expect to be a challenge.

Hamilton won the title here in 2008, and has a chance to do it again. So with one more round and double points available in the finale in Abu Dhabi, this weekend should be an exciting race to watch for the viewers.

Mark Gero

Mark Gero has written formula one racing stories since 2002 on the Internet for such sites as Motorsport.com, Racing Information Service News and for a brief time at the Munich Eye newspaper in Munich, Germany along with Autoweek online. Mark also has a diploma in journalism from the London School of Journalism in London, England and in addition a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

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