HISTORY OF THE CIRCUIT

Interlagos, officially known as Autódromo José Carlos Pace, is located in São Paulo, Brazil, and is celebrated for its demanding layout and rich motorsport history. The circuit spans about 4.309 kilometres (2.677 miles) in its current configuration.

Built in the late 1930s, it opened in 1940 as a dirt track called "Autódromo de Interlagos" and was paved in the late 1940s, establishing it as a permanent motorsport venue. Named for its location between two large artificial lakes—Lagoa dos Ingleses and Lagoa de Itapecerica—“Interlagos” translates to “between lakes” in Portuguese.

The circuit hosted its first Formula One World Championship race in 1973, the Brazilian Grand Prix, and has been a staple on the F1 calendar ever since. In recent years, it has also become a popular destination for the FIA WEC, hosting the 6 Hours of São Paulo, which draws a mix of top-tier endurance drivers and enthusiastic fans. Interlagos is celebrated for its demanding layout, marked by steep elevation changes and challenging corners. Over the years, it has seen numerous adjustments to improve safety and enhance facilities, including major layout updates in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The circuit has hosted countless iconic moments, most notably Ayrton Senna’s emotional 1991 victory, hailed as one of Formula One’s finest. It has often served as the season’s final race, delivering thrilling title-deciding battles, such as the dramatic 2007 and 2008 finales.

The addition of the FIA WEC has only added to its prestige, offering fans the excitement of multi-class endurance racing on this historic track. With its electric atmosphere, unpredictable weather, and passionate fans, Interlagos remains a favourite for drivers and spectators alike. Its location near São Paulo, one of Brazil’s largest cities, ensures a vibrant crowd at each event. Interlagos has played a defining role in world championship showdowns, and its legendary status in motorsport history endures. Despite its age, Interlagos continues to evolve, with ongoing modernization efforts preserving its standing as a premier racing venue and a testament to Brazil’s passion for motorsport across both Formula One and FIA WEC events.

The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) has held multiple 6 Hours of São Paulo races at the Interlagos circuit. Below is a summary of the overall winners:

• 2012: Toyota Racing's TS030 Hybrid, driven by Alexander Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre, secured victory.
• 2013: Audi Sport Team Joest's R18 e-tron quattro, piloted by André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler, and Benoît Tréluyer, took the win.
• 2014: Porsche Team's 919 Hybrid, with drivers Neel Jani, Marc Lieb, and Romain Dumas, achieved first place.
• 2024: Toyota Gazoo Racing's GR010 Hybrid, driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, claimed victory.