Between two lakes

The name Interlagos means “between lakes”, referring to two artificial ones, Guarapiranga and Billings, built at the start of the 20^th century to provide water and electricity to Sao Paulo. The track is built on clay based soil which is why the surface has plenty of gradient changes and is very bumpy. Despite that, it is one of the all-time classics on the Formula 1 calendar.

Restyling

Formula 1 first raced here in 1973, but the origins of the track go back much further. Opened in 1940, the layout took its inspiration from circuits such as Brooklands, the Roosevelt Raceway and Montlhery. The original version was almost 8 kilometres long, but it was redrawn, with the current version measuring 4.3 kilometres.

Home grown winners

The first three editions of the Brazilian Grand Prix were all won by homegrown talent. Emerson Fittipaldi won the first two in 1973 and ’74 with Jose Carlos Pace victorious in 1975 and today the circuit is named in his honour, after he died two years after his home win at the track.