The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, more commonly known as Interlagos, is a renowned motorsport circuit located in São Paulo, Brazil. Inaugurated on May 12, 1940, its traditional name, Interlagos, meaning "between lakes" in Portuguese, directly reflects its unique geographical setting. The circuit was constructed in a region situated between two large artificial lakes, Guarapiranga and Billings. These lakes were originally designed in the early 20th century
to provide São Paulo's metropolitan area with essential water and electric power. The name "Interlagos" itself was suggested by the French architect and urban planner Alfred Agache, drawing a parallel to the Interlaken region in Switzerland, which also means "between lakes."
Early Vision and Inauguration
The concept for a leisure area between the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs was first envisioned in the late 1920s by British engineer Luiz Romero Sanson. His daughter is credited with choosing the name Interlagos for the location. The initial idea was to cater to the city's wealthier population, who showed a keen interest in motorsports. The construction of the circuit was further spurred by a significant accident in 1936 during São Paulo's first international race, held on city streets, which resulted in six fatalities and over 30 injuries. This incident highlighted the need for a dedicated, safer racing venue.
Sanson, alongside the Automobile Club of Brazil, spearheaded the construction initiative. The track's design drew inspiration from famous circuits such as Indianapolis in the United States, Brooklands in England, and Monthony in France. Construction began in 1938, and by April 1939, even before its official completion, a group of drivers led by Manoel de Teffé took the first laps on the nascent track. The grand inauguration occurred on May 12, 1940, opening its doors to 15,000 spectators for two races: a 96 km motorcycle race and the 200 km São Paulo Grand Prix. Artur Nascimento Júnior won the Grand Prix, completing 25 laps in 1 hour, 46 minutes, and 44 seconds. At the time, the circuit had a total length of 7,960 meters, though essential facilities like grandstands, pits, snack bars, restrooms, and timing towers were still under construction.
Evolution and Renaming
Interlagos underwent significant changes over its history. After its initial opening, the circuit was closed for renovations in 1967 and reopened on March 1, 1970, for a Formula Ford championship event. Further reforms in 1971 prepared it to host its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1972. The 1972 race was a non-championship event, won by Carlos Reutemann. By 1973, the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos became a points-scoring event in the Formula 1 World Championship, with local hero Emerson Fittipaldi securing the victory. In 1975, Interlagos witnessed a historic moment for Brazilian motorsports when José Carlos Pace won, followed by Fittipaldi, marking the first one-two finish for Brazilians in Formula 1.
However, by the late 1970s, the track suffered from considerable wear and tear, leading to an uneven surface and numerous bumps that drew strong criticism. The São Paulo city government was unwilling to fund the necessary repairs, leading to the relocation of the Brazilian Grand Prix to the more modern Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro from 1981 to 1989. Towards the end of the 1980s, Jacarepaguá faced its own economic challenges. This, combined with the efforts of São Paulo's mayor Luiza Erundina, facilitated negotiations for the Grand Prix's return to Interlagos. The circuit was extensively remodeled in 1989 to meet new FIA safety standards, and Formula 1 racing officially returned in 1990. In 1985, the circuit was officially renamed Autódromo José Carlos Pace in honor of the Brazilian Formula 1 driver, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1977. This renaming cemented his legacy at the circuit where he achieved his sole Formula 1 victory.
Modern Characteristics and Challenges
Today, Interlagos is known for its distinctive anti-clockwise direction, a rarity among South American and European circuits. The current layout, measuring 4.309 kilometers, features 15 turns and combines two sectors with long straights and tight corners with a more winding, technical section. This demands a car setup that performs effectively across both high-speed and intricate parts of the track. The uphill main straight leads into the famous "S do Senna," a sequence of alternating downward turns proposed by Ayrton Senna himself during the 1989 remodel. This section is a prime overtaking spot, requiring heavy braking. Despite its iconic status, the circuit has faced frequent criticism regarding its facilities and overall organization. Incidents, such as advertising boards scattered on the track during qualifying sessions in 2000, have highlighted these concerns. Drivers have also consistently complained about the track's bumpy surface, despite re-asphalting efforts in 2007 and ongoing attempts by organizers to smooth it out. Proposed safety improvements, including a new pit lane and a redesigned Turn 1, were planned for 2016 but were not fully implemented due to economic constraints, with reforms limited to upgrading the existing pit lane to meet minimum FIA standards. Within the main circuit, there is also a kart track named after Ayrton Senna, further honoring Brazil's racing heritage.
