For the 21st race of the season, all 10 teams and 20 drivers head to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the Brazilian Grand Prix. One of the best and most entertaining tracks on the calendar,

Interlagos is a fan favourite, as well as a driver’s favourite. Every year, when Formula One heads to Brazil, it is when everyone tunes in. The reason is because of the layout of the 4.309km track. We’re going to go over how the track brings out the best racing on the calendar.

High-speed corners

Around the entire circuit, high-speed corners are awaiting the 20 drivers. Turns 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, and 15 are all turns where drivers can go nearly flat out. While they don’t provide overtaking opportunities, carry the exit speed out of the apex and slingshot yourself into the next turn into the braking zone.

Turns 1, 4, and almost the entire middle sector are all about the hard corners, primed for overtaking opportunities. Just last year, a total of 72 overtakes took place. This has brought in some excellent battles over the years, and throw in the constantly changing weather, and you have multiple iconic moments.

Sector 1

The run from the first grid slot to the first turn is 200 metres. Allowing for the rest of the grid to create chances for overtakes. The quick, snaky Senna esses of turns one and two into the launch out of three are not only crucial and chaotic, they set up overtakes. The first DRS detection zone sits in the esses, and the DRS zone is the long straight in between turns three and 4.

Quick and extremely volatile, Sector One is only the beginning of the challenges drivers will have to face at Interlagos.

Sector 2

Onto Sector Two, and while it may be slower, it still brings out the fun. Hard-braking zones after hard-braking zones— nailing the apexes here is a must. If you do, you have a quick run into the next turn for a nice dive bomb or closing the gap ahead. If you don’t? All of a sudden, you will have someone right up your gearbox, practically pushing you through the rest of the sector. The must-know for this sector is that it is full of short runups to the next turn, building up to the slingshot that is Sector Three.

Sector 3

As just mentioned, Sector Three is like one big slingshot. Beginning at the slow corner of Turn 12, the cars immediately pick up speed and the pedal is pushed all the way down. Turns 13, 14, and 15 are almost more like slight bends than actual turns. Drivers will still keep high speeds throughout, and it is almost just one extremely long straight. The second DRS detection zone is also placed here, right after turn 13. The DRS zone begins before the final bend, on the long straight that ends in turn 1.

Verstappen dominance

Last year, we saw 72 overtakes, a lot of which were done by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who went from 17th on the grid all the way up to 1st. He has historically been a monster here, winning three of the last five Brazilian Grand Prixs. The track suits the Red Bull car, although that may not be the case anymore. The McLarens seem to be the strongest around here, with Mercedes close behind. Never count out Verstappen; however, he has shown that he can pull through when times are tough, and he enjoys this track. Add to the chip on his shoulder being practically down and out in the championship, and he may be a problem.

Don’t be surprised if there is a spanner in the works. Rain has been a common occurrence at Sao Paulo, and the Safety Car always has some work to do. Back in 2022, Kevin Magnussen in the Haas took pole, and while obviously that didn’t translate to the race, it goes to show how unpredictable this race can be.