What F1 Fanatics say about… Interlagos

2011 Brazilian Grand Prix

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Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, Interlagos, 2010

This weekend the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit will be packed to the rafters with passionate F1 fans for the last race of the season.

Several F1 Fanatics have been in the crowd at Interlagos and shared their advice for anyone else planning to do the same.

Read on for their tips on going to the Brazilian Grand Prix.

There are some spectacular viewing opportunities at the track. Here are some thoughts on where to watch the action:

I’m going to G grandstand at Reta Oposta. Less expensive, but you can see the Senna S and the pit exit at your left, and from the right, the final of that straight as well, so, you manage to see some overtaking.
Giuliano Carrieri

The pit straight offers some excellent viewing opportunities across the track as Gibbo explains:

Sector D at the end of the pit straight. This is where most overtaking occurs.

If you sit towards the back you can see all down the pit straight and over one-third of the rest of the circuit.
Gibbo

Lopes prefers a similar vantage point:

I’d say Sector A at the entrance to the pits. You can see most of the pit straight and the entrance to turn one, then half the back straight and turns four and five, the entrance to turn six, as well as multiple bits and pieces of the slow complex and the two last corners.
Lopes

Another vote for the pit lane entry from Luiz:

I was at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2009. It was a very good experience, as my first and unforgettable one.

I bought a ticket for sector A, in front of pit lane entry, at last corner, where the cars run more than 200kph, and where you can see 70% of the track.

The track is very nice, the food is expensive but good quality.
Luiz

As Jenson Button found out last year, security can be a problem at this track. Here are some thoughts on how to transfer to and from the circuit safely:

Most hotels will be able to book you onto a shuttle bus.

Failing that find three others and get a taxi.
Gibbo

Driving to the circuit is a tricky task as Teo Marcus explains:

I’m Brazilian and my advice to you is do not drive and park your own car nearby the circuit.

Instead, you can use hotel’s transfer services (but you’ll need to wait the others that are using that too) or you can take a cab from the hotel and another one to go back. Ask the cab driver where is the best place to find a cab after the race.

Try to know some Portuguese words because are not all Brazilians speak English very well.

Another important thing: Get there early and be prepared to face the crowd.
Teo Marcus

The “get up early” message was reiterated by several people who’ve been to Interlagos:

You have to wake up early if you want to get good seats. There are people who goes to the line just after the saturday race in order to get good seats on sunday.

This year I woke up at 5am and the seat I had was suitable.
Gustavo

That view is also echoed by Vox Vocis:

I would certainly plan on getting there early! The Brazilians love their Formula 1 and I can tell you that the grandstands are always chock-a-block each year.

Some hotels do offer a transfer service to the Grand Prix, however, you’re probably best off getting a cab to the circuit. They can drop you right at the front gate.

While it can be a bit of a wait when leaving, cabs are fairly cheap and might be the best, easiest and safest way in.
Vox Vocis

Are you going to the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend? Find other F1 Fanatics who are here:

Image © Mercedes

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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25 comments on “What F1 Fanatics say about… Interlagos”

  1. Sector G is the best, but to get the best seats you should be at the gate at 3 am, seriously! Then you should sit towards the top, at the height of the 50 m sign. From there you can see basically the whole circuit minus the grid!

    1. I had a great experience at Interlagos last year, wet Saturday and hot Sunday. I was in Sector M, I did not find a top seat on Sunday once we got there at 10 a.m.
      Next time I’ll try sector D, V or G.

  2. a video from the old days of the god of f1 taking pole at interlagos for all the fans

    1. anyone else cringe when he overtook those cars coming onto the main straight! total commitment.

      1. totally agree with you
        watching the on-board from Senna’s car is a great pleasure for everyone

  3. I think Interlagos may well be my favourite circuit on the calendar. I’m really hoping that GP2 will go there next year, since they’re expanding their calendar.

    1. Is there enough space though for a sizeable support paddock? I love the circuit but its pits are tiny.

      1. I wish GP2 would come to Melbourne. The number of support categories is dwindling and there’s nothing really to keep the fans at the track. I’d love to see GP2 live.

        1. I wished GP2 went to all the tracks that it doesn’t already go to that aren’t Tilkedromes. Albert Park, Suzuka, Interlagos. At least, those are the ones I care for, but I wouldn’t mind it if they went to other races like Buddh and Sepang. I don’t think the plan is to visit all the circuits F1 visits: it would be too expensive. But yeah, it would be exciting!

          1. The plan is that Formula 1 will do the full calendar (obviously), while GP3 does the European leg. GP2 will fit somewhere in between the two, with a few flyaway events. I think they’ll probably have four flyaway races, most likely in groups of two (ie Melbourne/Sepang, Shanghai/Bahrain, Suzuka/Korea or Austin/Interlagos).

  4. It does strike me as being a great circuit for spectators, very compact with good elevation to allow for maximum vantage points.

    In my experience of attending Monza and Silverstone, we didn’t have to get up too early. That said, we have only ever gone GA and planted ourselves in places where there is a bit of an incline so we can see over everyone.

  5. jean eric vergne said that he will be no worse than Webber if they put him in a RedBull car
    i think he have to show some respect for Webber even if he’s faster than him

    1. @tifoso1989 I agree, both he and Alguersuari should be a little humble, they haven´t done anything…

    2. I bet he wouldn’t have made that pass on fernando alonso at spa or the other fantastic pass he made this year which i have shamefully forgotten where it took place. Those two moves will go down in f1 history as case studys on how to mug an f1 driver.

    3. That’s ridiculous. He also disrespects Vettel there, as it may well have been that Vettel’s been amazing rather than Webber being bad.

      In my opinion Webber’s been the most gutsy driver wheel to wheel this year but also very respectful and controlled. Put Vergne in some of the nose to nose battles Webber’s had with Alonso and Hamilton this year and then let him make that judgment.

      1. Webber made also a grate move on Adrian Sutil in Susuka at 130R

        1. Inside pass on someone in china last year (?). Wherever it was it was epic. Excuse my old man’s memory or lack thereof.

    4. I agree, Vergne shouldn’t be saying that, since Webber has made some good moves and has finished in the top 5 in 17 races this year. I doubt Vergne would do the same.

  6. HRT…have a race driver for next year?!
    Apparently Pedro de la Rosa has left Woking to have a race seat at HRT in 2012.
    http://pitpass.com/45282-McLaren-bids-farewell-to-de-la-Rosa
    Not sure where pitpass got this from though, I doubt the credibility of this given HRT’s history of general disorganisation. That said, under new management they may have got their finger out and are actually doing things properly.
    Now they need to announce their pay-driver, as DLR doesn’t have sponsors AFAIK.

  7. I like how it hasn’t really been designed and planned; it’s sort of come to be as it is now! They’ve used sections of the old track and linked it up in different ways to create the current circuit, so there hasn’t been any real planning, which to me, suggests it is as ‘natural’ as a circuit can be.

    It has elevation change, but it’s actually something that adds to the character of the track. India had elevation change, but it didn’t add anything to its challenge.

    It’s not a particularly long circuit, and the lap times are quick, but that’s another aspect that adds to its uniqueness. It hasn’t been designed and built to a certain criteria and so it meets a list of requirements like the new circuits, so it has imperfections. Imperfections, ironically, can make tracks perfect in the sense that they become classics.

    Interlagos has blind apexes, corners that feed into tighter corners, a properly enthusiastic crowd, spectacular surrounds, hills, and importantly, overtaking opportunities. It is truly unique.

  8. Being a travelled person and well in-touch with the Brazilian culture. I would advise anyone to buy all sorts of cold weapons, its really dangerous to walk or drive in Brasil especially in São Paulo, so dont stop your car no matter what because locals are aware of the event and they are ready to profit from it so blend in as much as possible, dont bring with you expensive items, and learn some portuguese slang.

  9. Compared to the spectacle of Abu Dhabi this track seems and looks so outdated. The race is like going back in a time machine. I also note that because of its history this race must remain and to do so it needs a new pit area and improvement to entry and exit of the pits. Look at what Silverstone has done, great improvement to a similar old school event that had almost run out of steam. Now one of the best events I suggest Interlagos make changes and join Silverstone by re-inventing yourself. Completely remove the current pit area and move it to the bottom of the track on the outside just past the current pit exit. Open the area up for bigger and better viewing. That kind of investment will keep the doors open for another twenty years.

  10. Spa,Monza,Interlagos,Silverstone,Melbourne,Nurburgring are the place where you should go & watch F1 race.These places are heaven for motorracing,the modern tracks fail to provide the raw atmosphere.

    1. Dont forget montreal

  11. Interlagos is one of the best tracks for natural overtaking. I grew up watching all kinds of races there, either by TV or in person, since I lived in São Paulo for most of my life. Senna S and the end of Reta Oposta are the best places to watch the race. The unpredictable weather made some past races in São Paulo become absolutely legendary. I’ve been there 7 times from the mid 90’s on, and I’ve been many times to sector G, the cheapest one. The view is good, especially if you arrive very early at the gate. I mean, very, very early! Like 2 am. Maybe earlier. Once, I arrived there at 5 am and the line was already huge. Another sector I’ve been to was sector A, right in the rear end of the start/finish straight. Again, arrive early if you want to get a good spot. In this sector you can see the end of Reta Oposta and other bits of the track, as well as the start/finish line from the rear end and the pit lane entrance. I’ve been one or two times to sector D, right at the Senna S. That’s a much more expensive place to enjoy the race, but you’ll see plenty of action. Accidents, spins, burning tires, overtakings are guaranteed there. And everything happens right in front of your nose. Sector D may be more expensive, but it’s worth the money you pay.
    Interlagos has lots of ups and downs, which makes things not only visible, but more interesting too. This is one of the few remaining classic races left in the calendar and, despite being very outdated compared to most 2011 tracks, it can still offer a great race. It may have the worst facilities, terrible access to the track and lack in beautiful landscapes. But when the cars are racing there, you won’t really care for any of those. The experience will be great, that’s for sure!

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