© Getty ImagesFive Things You Didn’t Know About InterlagosOur top facts that you might not know about the Brazilian circuit.
TheBrazilianGrandPrixhasbeenonthecalendareveryyearsince1973(apartfrom2020forobviousreasons).Thishistoricracehasagrandhistory,buthere’safewthingsyoumaynotknowabouttheInterlagos.
ItWasTheHomeOfTheLastRaceOfTheV8Engines
The 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix was the last time the 2.4-litre V8 engines were fired for an Formula One race, with the 2014 season set to usher in the new hybrid era. The V8 engines were originally limited to 19,000rpm, but reduced to 18,000rpm in 2009. Safe to say, the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix was a loud affair. It was a great race for the Bulls. Sebastian Vettel won, making it nine in a row for the German and his teammate Mark Webber finished in P2. It was Webber’s last race in Formula One and where Sebastian and the Team took their fourth titles.
São Paulo Makes A Beautiful Backdrop© Getty Images
BurrowingOwlsAreACommonSite
It’s unusual for wildlife to be anywhere near a race circuit, but at Interlagos the burrowing owl – also known as the Shoco – has made it its home. The small bird is unique among owls as they have longer legs which enables them to ‘sprint’ as well as fly when hunting. Also, unlike other owls, they are active during the day.
BrazilianDriversDominateTheirHomeRace
Out of the 47 Brazilian Grand Prix, a Brazilian driver has started on pole 10 times and won 5 times. Emerson Fittipaldi was the first to win. He won the inaugural championship race in 1973 and again in 1974. Carlos Pace – who the circuit is named after – won the following year in 1975. Nelson Piquet won twice in Brazil in 1983 and 1986 when the race was held at the Jacarepaguá circuit between 1981 and 1989. Ayrton Senna took victory for McLaren in 1991 and 1993 and Ferrari driver Felipe Massa won in 2006 and 2008.
Vamos Brasil!© Getty Images
SevenDriversHaveWonBack-To-BackRacesInBrazil
This one is a good pub quiz question because you might not remember them all. But seven drivers have won back-to-back races in Brazil. And one driver has done it twice!
Emerson Fittipaldi was the first to do it in 1973 and ’74 at his home race. Next was Argentinian driver Carlos Reutemann in 1977 and 1978. Four-time World Champion Alain Prost was able to accomplish this feat twice. He won in 1984/85, along with the title and again in 1987/88.
Michael Schumacher was next, winning the race in 1994 and 1995. Both for Benneton, but the first time it was a Ford-powered car while the second victory was powered by Renault. Mika Häkkinen won there in his World Championship winning seasons, 1998/99. Next was Juan Pablo Montoya who won in 2004 and 2005 for different teams. He first won driving for Williams-BMW and the following year for McLaren-Mercedes. And the final driver to win two races in a row in Brazil was Nico Rosberg in 2014 and 2015 where he finished second in the drivers championship.
Going For A Spin Around The Lakes© Getty Images
It’sAHappyHuntingGroundForTheTeam
This weekend will be the 18th time Oracle Red Bull Racing has competed at the Brazilian Grand Prix, and it’s often been a good weekend for the Team with three one-two finishes here in the past. All shared by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Seb won twice with his teammate Mark in second and Webber one once with Seb in second. Webber also won in 2009.
The most recent win for the Team came in 2019 with Max taking the chequered flag. The Team in total has five wins and five further podiums. Will there be more silverware this weekend? Tune in this weekend to find out…
The Bulls Can't Wait To Be Back In Brazil© Getty Images
