3.6 meters per second (8.1 miles per hour) from (350°)
Temperature
12 °C (54 °F), with a dew-point at 10 °C (50 °F)
Pressure
1033 hPa (30.50 inHg ).
Humidity
87.6%
Clouds
no clouds below 1500 meter (5000 feet) and no cumulonimbus clouds
Visibility
greater than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
The circuit is one of the few non-oval racing circuits to go in an anti-clockwise direction. The present design of the track dates back from 1990, when the original circuit was shortened from 7,829 m to only 4,397 m (so that it could fit the new FIA restrictions on track length). As a consequence of the reduction, the track lost three long straight sections and three fast curves (another one was reversed and one created). The original track allowed cars to keep maximum speed for up to twenty seconds and was considered very dangerous, but since 1990 the old layout was completely abandoned. The new track still has a very long top-speed section that contains bumps, high-speed turns and little run-off area .Another reason why many drivers consider Interlagos interesting is that it was not built on flat terrain, but follows the ups and downs of hilly ground, which makes it harder to drive and demands more power from the car’s engines. The hilly course is also a good feature for road cycling races usually held in the circuit.
Track Information
Track Name
AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE
Length
4.309km
Race Length
71 LAPS (305.9KM)
LAP Record
JUAN-PABLO MONTOYA 1MIN 11.473(2004)
Number Of Turns
15
Track Direction
ANTI-CLOCKWISE
Downforce Level
MEDIUM
No Of Gear Changes Per Lap
40
Average Speed
216KPH
Highest Speed
313KPH
Throttle % Per Lap
63%
Brake Wear
LOW
Tyre Wear
MEDIUM TO HIGH
Tyre Compounds Available
SUPERSOFT AND MEDIUM
2009 Winner
1. MARK WEBBER, RBR-RENAULT,1:32:23.081
2. ROBERT KUBICA, BMW SAUBER, +7.6 SECS
3. LEWIS HAMILTON, Mc LAREN-MERCEDES, +18.9 SECS
The penultimate race of the 2009 season will be the Brazilian Grand Prix, a change to previous seasons when the event has closed the championship. Its home is the bumpy 4.309km Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, named after a Brazilian Formula One driver who participated in 73 Grands Prix, winning one race, six podiums and a total of 58 championship points. It is however more commonly known as Interlagos (literally, between the lakes) on account of its location between two large reservoirs, Guarapiranga and Billings, which serve its host city of Sao Paulo.
The circuit sits in this busy city neighbourhood and, in fact, the land on which it is built was originally designated as a potential site for further housing developments in the mid 1930s. However, when it was discovered the land was unsuitable for housing, a racing circuit was built instead. The track follows the contours of the hilly terrain, rising up and down over the course of the lap, but stays principally within an amphitheatre-type area. This natural stadium, plus the passionate fervour of the Brazilian fans, makes it one of the most atmospheric races of the year - particularly if the championship is going down to the wire.
ADRIAN’S View
We start on the long pit straight, reaching about 320kph before the first corner. You have to try not to brake too hard as it’s quite a wide turn that tightens at the end. You’re in second gear by in the end but you have to be careful not to lock up the inside right wheel. There is a lot of camber in the road at this point and is quite steep downhill. The exit into turn two is very important as you need to carry the speed into three and onto the long straight. Turn four is a fourth gear corner, pretty nice but not too difficult, where you can take a kerb inside. Turn five is flat out into six and seven, which is a double right hander in fourth or fifth gear. The mid corner speed is very important as the exit is just 100m long so you can concentrate on getting a good entry to turn eight, which is another second gear right hander.
For nine you can use the camber but have to try not be too aggressive - it’s a bit of a stop and go corner. Corner 10 is very similar to eight, a tight second gear right hander with wide kerbs. Then there’s a downhill left hander with a lot of camber again, which can be tricky in the rain as there may be rivers on the track and you can get aquaplaning. Then we go into the last corner, which is in third gear but the exit is crucial as we go onto one of the longer straights of the calendar and you can lose a lot of time if you don’t get it right.
