Race Track: Autodromo Carlos pace
Loaction: Sao Paulo
Raceday: Sunday, 25 September 2005
Time: Monday, 0100 (race) [local time]
2004 winner: Juan Pablo Montoya
In 1938 a huge plot of land was bought in Sao Paulo by two local
property developers who intended to build a large housing
development. It soon became clear, however, that one part of the
land was not suitable for housing and so they decided to build a
racing circuit instead. Sao Paulo grew at an incredible speed
though and soon the circuit was surrounded by houses.
When, in the 1970s, Emerson Fittipaldi began to have international
success, the Brazilians started to want a Grand Prix. In 1971 and
1972 Interlagos hosted non-championship events but in 1973 the
track hosted its first championship Grand Prix. The track became a
lucky charm for local racers, Fittipaldi, Carlos Pace and Carlos
Reutemann all taking the spoils of victory in the 1970s. Interlagos
was the scene of Pace's first and only Formula One victory, and
following his death in a plane crash the circuit was renamed in his
honour.
In 1978 the grand prix moved to Rio, but in 1979 Interlagos got its
race back. By 1981 however Rio had retaken the Grand Prix, Sao
Paulo's slums being at odds with the glamorous image Formula One
wanted to portray. When a $15m redevelopment programme was agreed
in the heyday of Ayrton Senna, a Sao Paulo local, the race finally
moved back to Interlagos.
And there it has stayed. Since Senna's death there may have been no
Brazilian world champion, but the passion of the Brazilian fans
keeps the sport coming back every year.
The circuit is situated in the Interlagos suburb of Sao Paolo,
approximately 15km south of the city centre. The city possesses a
wide public transport network, including a subway system, numerous
bus companies and plenty of taxis.
Sao Paolo's major international airport is Guarulhos which lies
25km north-east of the city. There is a half-hourly shuttle bus
service from the airport into the city.
To get to the circuit by car from Sao Paulo, take the Marginal
Pinheiros south-bound towards Interlagos and then follow signs for
the track.
