Situated in the southern suburbs of São Paulo, Autódromo José Carlos Pace—universally known as Interlagos—is one of the world’s most celebrated permanent racing circuits. Since opening in 1940, it has become the spiritual home of Brazilian motorsport and one of Formula One’s most iconic venues.
Combining dramatic elevation changes, technical corners and an anti-clockwise layout that places unusual physical demands on drivers, Interlagos has produced countless unforgettable races. World championships have been decided here, legends have been crowned here and some of Formula One’s most emotional moments have unfolded on its asphalt.
Named after Brazilian Formula One winner José Carlos Pace, the circuit remains one of the purest expressions of traditional circuit design, where natural terrain rather than artificial geometry defines the racing.
In Brief
- Interlagos originally measured almost eight kilometres before being extensively redesigned in 1990.
- The circuit is one of the few major Formula One venues to run anti-clockwise.
- It is named after Formula One winner José Carlos Pace.
- Ayrton Senna regarded victory at Interlagos as one of the highlights of his career.
- São Paulo’s rapidly changing weather has produced some of Formula One’s most dramatic races.
- The uphill run from Juncão to the Senna S remains one of the championship’s classic overtaking sequences.
History
Interlagos officially opened in 1940, taking its name from its location “between the lakes” (inter lagos), referring to the nearby Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs.
The original circuit measured almost eight kilometres and quickly established itself as South America’s premier racing venue. During the 1970s, Formula One made Interlagos an integral part of the World Championship, attracting enormous crowds inspired by Brazil’s emerging generation of racing heroes.
In 1985 the circuit was renamed in honour of José Carlos Pace, winner of the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix, whose life was tragically cut short in an aircraft accident in 1977.
A major redesign in the late 1980s shortened the circuit substantially while preserving its most celebrated features, including the Senna S, Curva do Sol, Ferradura, Laranjinha, Pinheirinho, Bico de Pato, Juncão and the dramatic climb back towards the start-finish line.
Throughout its history, Interlagos has remained synonymous with Brazilian legends including Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Emerson Fittipaldi and Felipe Massa.
Circuit Design
Interlagos measures 4.309 kilometres and follows the natural contours of São Paulo’s rolling terrain. Unlike many modern circuits built on level ground, the layout climbs and falls continuously throughout the lap, producing significant changes in braking, traction and vehicle balance.
The anti-clockwise direction adds another layer of complexity, placing unusual physical loads on drivers’ necks and upper bodies.
The circuit combines one of Formula One’s best overtaking opportunities into the Senna S with a highly technical middle sector before concluding with a long uphill full-throttle section where slipstreaming frequently determines battles into Turn 1.
Few circuits combine so many different driving challenges within such a compact lap.
LENGTH
4.309
kilometres
WIDTH
12–15
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
TURNS
15
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
43.2
metres
OPENED
1940
86 years ago
Corner Guide
Interlagos is defined by its compact, undulating layout and unusual anti-clockwise direction, combining technical low-speed sections with fast, flowing corners and significant elevation changes. The circuit rarely allows competitors to settle into a single rhythm; instead, the lap continuously shifts between braking, traction and sustained lateral load, making balance and adaptability particularly important.
The opening Senna S immediately establishes this character, dropping sharply downhill through a technical left-right sequence before competitors accelerate through Curva do Sol onto the long Reta Oposta. The middle sector becomes tighter and more technical, with Descida do Lago leading towards Ferradura, Laranjinha and the slower Pinheirinho and Bico de Pato sections, where mechanical grip, accurate positioning and traction become increasingly important. From Junção, the circuit changes character again as competitors begin the long uphill acceleration through the sweeping final curves towards the start-finish straight.
Although individual corners such as the Senna S have become internationally recognised, Interlagos is ultimately defined by the way its different sections interact. Drivers who remain precise through the technical middle sector while preserving enough momentum for the long uphill final section are generally rewarded most strongly. Combined with changing gradients, frequent surface evolution and unpredictable weather, this makes Interlagos a circuit where rhythm, adaptability and racecraft matter as much as outright speed.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Senna 'S' 1 |
| 2 | Senna 'S' 2 |
| 3 | Curva do Sol |
| 4 | T4 |
| 5 | T5 |
| 6 | Ferradura |
| 7 | Curva do Laranjinha |
| 8 | T8 |
| 9 | Pinheirinho |
| 10 | Bico de Pato |
| 11 | Mergulho |
| 12 | Junçao |
| 13 | T13 |
| 14 | Subida dos Boxes |
| 15 | Arquibancadas |
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, universally known as Interlagos, occupies a central position in Brazilian motorsport and is one of the most celebrated Formula One venues in the world. Since first hosting the Brazilian Grand Prix in the 1970s, the circuit has provided the principal international stage for a country whose drivers, teams and supporters have made an extraordinary contribution to Grand Prix racing.
Interlagos is inseparable from Brazil’s Formula One heritage. Drivers including Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna transformed Brazil into one of the sport’s great racing nations, while generations of passionate spectators have given the São Paulo event one of Formula One’s most distinctive atmospheres. The circuit has also produced some of the championship’s most memorable conclusions, with dramatic weather, overtaking opportunities and the short lap frequently creating unpredictable races and several historic title-deciding moments.
Its importance extends well beyond Formula One. Interlagos has hosted World Endurance Championship racing, Stock Car Brasil, national touring cars, GT competition, motorcycle racing and numerous regional and historic categories, making it the most important permanent meeting point between Brazil’s domestic motorsport culture and major international competition.
Interlagos therefore represents considerably more than the home of the Brazilian Grand Prix. It is the symbolic centre of Brazilian circuit racing, connecting the country’s extraordinary Formula One legacy with an active national motorsport community. Few circuits possess such a close relationship with the sporting identity of their country, and fewer still combine that heritage with a layout that continues to produce compelling racing across successive generations.
Visitor Experience
Interlagos offers one of motorsport’s most passionate atmospheres. Brazilian fans are renowned for their enthusiasm, creating an unforgettable environment during Formula One weekends with grandstands alive in green and yellow.
The circuit’s natural amphitheatre provides excellent spectator views across multiple sectors, while its compact layout allows visitors to appreciate much of the lap from several vantage points.
Outside international events, the venue continues to host racing, track days, driving experiences and community events, ensuring that Interlagos remains an integral part of São Paulo’s sporting life.
Location
Autódromo José Carlos Pace is located in the Interlagos district of southern São Paulo, approximately 20 kilometres from the city centre. The circuit enjoys extensive road, rail and metro connections, making it readily accessible to the millions who attend major race weekends.
Its position between the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs gave rise to the name “Interlagos,” a name now recognised by motorsport enthusiasts around the world.
Address
261 Avenida Senador Teotônio Vilela
04801-000
São Paulo, São Paulo
Brazil