There are 4 rounds left within the 2025 F1 season. Subsequent up is their solely journey to South America, which can happen on the iconic Interlagos circuit in São Paulo. With its carnival environment and unpredictable climate, it is a monitor the place drama usually happens, together with guided circuits. – Nico Hulkenberg – He took pole place as a rookie with Williams in 2010 (pictured above).
“I’ve at all times had a pure good connection and feeling with this monitor. One of many first issues that stands out is that it is counterclockwise. There aren’t that many counterclockwise circuits anymore this season, so there are a variety of left-hand corners, and it’s totally powerful on the left-hand neck.
“I believe it is clear what we need to do with the set-up, particularly now that we’re nearing the top of the season. We all know our automobile very properly, we all know kind of the place the window is and there is clearly some fine-tuning occurring within the background as typical, particularly after free follow one, it is a dash weekend so we’ll solely have one follow after which we’ll do some fine-tuning and a bit of little bit of fine-tuning for dash qualifying.”
“It was fairly bumpy earlier than, however now the monitor is being repaved once more, so we’ll see the way it goes this weekend. And from a set-up viewpoint, throughout the lengthy straight with the large uphill climb as much as Flip 1, you at all times need to compromise right here. Right here you do not want a variety of drag and downforce, however after that it is the infield the place you need it.”
“That is the same old stability round right here, however the monitor has a very good stream, there’s fairly a little bit of elevation change which I personally actually like, some banked corners, a little bit of a warp at many factors within the circuit…
“That is simply one of many true basic and iconic tracks and a lot historical past has occurred right here. If you come right here and drive to Interlagos and drive to the circuit, you’ll be able to really feel that historical past and for me I’ve at all times felt a variety of connection to that historical past.”
“Curbs are one other factor that has modified fairly a bit through the years. They’ve modified fairly a bit. There are nonetheless some curbs left that you would be able to take now, however you must take them the suitable means and hit them on the proper angle. For those who do not, you are going to be fairly upset.”
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Interlagos have loosened up their curveball a bit, however like Oliver Bearman final yr, they may nonetheless catch up, giving his then-teammate Hulkenberg one thing to consider… Sam Bloxham/Getty Pictures
“To be trustworthy, there’s not one part that is necessary. It is far and wide, and given the brief lap instances of about 1 minute 10 seconds or much less, the sphere is at all times very compact, very tightly grouped, so you must be dialed in each second of the lap.”
“I gained pole place right here 15 years in the past, however I believe what makes this place so particular is that it is greater than that. However the environment and the sensation if you’re in São Paulo, if you’re in Interlagos, that is what’s necessary.”
“And if you’re driving round, typically when the laps are gradual, you get a glimpse of the grandstands. And the São Paulo environment makes it particular. There are a variety of cool locations across the laps.”
At a look
Race distance: 71 laps/192.6 miles
2024 pole time: 1 minute 23.405 seconds (Lando Norris, McLaren)
2024 winner: Max Verstappen, Pink Bull
The selection of tire compounds for this yr’s São Paulo Grand Prix is paying homage to 2023, with C2, C3 and C4 being onerous, medium and gentle, one notch harder than the trio used final yr.
Dry-weather tires weren’t wanted for the race final yr, however once we used them on Friday and Saturday mornings, we observed important put on and grain, particularly on the rear axle. The circuit has been resurfaced and though there are nonetheless loads of bumps across the monitor, it has suffered much less put on than the earlier yr, leaving a really clean floor.
All issues being equal, with the inevitable variations resulting from asphalt ageing, the choice to introduce a more durable compound might prolong the efficiency lifetime of tires which are already extra proof against degradation than the 2024 mannequin. If that occurs, the software program that was used just for dash qualifying final yr might be able to play an energetic position.
MSC Cruises Sao Paulo Grand Prix Weekend Schedule (all Japanese Time):
Friday, November seventh
9:25am – 10:30am – Free Apply 1, ESPN2
1:25pm – 2:30pm – Dash Qualifying, ESPN2
Saturday, November eighth
8:55am – 10:00am – Dash, ESPN2
12:55pm – 2:00pm – GP Qualifying, ESP Information
Sunday, November ninth
11:55am – 2pm – Sao Paulo Grand Prix (71 laps or 120 minutes), ESPN2
