Circuit: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos, Sau Paolo
Length: 4.309 km
Laps: 71
Race distance: 305.939 km
Lap record: 1:11.473 (J P Montoya, Williams-BMW, 2004)
We head into the final round of the 2007 Formula 1 season with the
driver's championship still up for grabs:
- The leader, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes, is aiming to be
the first driver to take the crown in his rookie season, having
surpassed all expectations.
- After Hamilton's misfortunes in Shanghai, he leads teammate and
defending champion Fernando Alonso by just 4 points. The fiery
Spaniard is aiming for a record himself - the youngest driver to
win three championships, and consecutive ones at that.
- The dark horse from Ferrari, Kimi Räikkönen, is third, 7 points
behind Hamilton, after a late charge in the second half of the
season that saw him take 4 wins and 4 other podium places. He had
twice come close to winning the title with McLaren and will be
eagar to vindicate himself.
But first, the venue where this showdown will take place.
Interlagos is built in a natural amphitheatre. It used to be a
high-speed terror, although no fatalities occured, until it was
revised to its current layout in 1990. It is one of the few venues
which retains a third-world feel - the facilities are dated, team
crew occassionally encounter burglars and robbers and access to the
circuit via road is poor.
The track itself is remarkable as it runs anti-clockwise (Istanbul
is the only other such circuit on this year's calendar). This means
that the majority of lateral G-Forces affect the opposite side of
the body to what the drivers are accustomed to. This, coupled with
the very bumpy surface, make the race a test of physical endurance
for the drivers. You may spot some of them resting their heads
against the side of the cockpit towards the end of the race.
The corners are generally fast and flowing, save for a tight
infield section in Sector 2. The full-throttle runs to turns 1 and
4 create the best chances for overtaking during the race.
Medium-high downforce settings are usually applied with a
compromise between Sector 2 and the long pit stretch in mind.
Bridgestone will be taking soft and super-soft tyres to the event.
2-stop strategies are the way to go here. Rain is no stranger to
the race although the last 3 were held in dry conditions. When it
does come however, rivers of running water and big puddles can make
the racing treacherous.
Going by the general form, it appears that the McLaren drivers will
have the upper hand as the MP4-22 handles bumps, tight corners and
kerbs very well. They also have a strong track record here although
Räikkönen's teammate Felipe Massa won last year's race for Ferrari.
Expect the F1-2007 to be closer or faster in the other sectors
however.
Both teams will be fired up for this race as they have not tasted
title glory in serveral years - Ferrari last won it in 2004,
McLaren in 1999! Rumours and speculation continue about Alonso's
loyalties and what gamesmanship he and Hamilton might engage in -
and gift their other rival the crown.
Mark this Monday morning affair in your diaries, calendars and
organisers - the closest title fight in years will be worth losing
sleep for!
