Brazilian Grand Prix Preview

Sao Paulo always delivers a dramatic race in Formula 1, this weekend looks set to be no different. The world championship may have been decided some time ago, but there are still many points to prove this weekend. This circuit always provides drama; it's tight, and challenging.

Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

The Facts:

Lap: 4.309 km
Race Laps: 71
Lap Record: 1:11.473
JP.Montoya (2004)
2012 Winner: Jenson Button
Race Date: 24.11.2013
Safety Car – Likely
Weather – Rain Expected
Tyre Allocation – Medium & Hard
DRS Zones: Pit-straight and between turns 3 – 4

The Circuit.

This is one of the challenging circuits in Formula 1, it's a real old school track. Unlike a lot of modern circuits, Interlagos will punish you for a mistake. It has long run down the pit straight before a tight downhill left hand bend, which in the wet is treacherous. Turns one and two are line a chicane with three being an easy flat left hander. The back straight leads to a tricky turn four which can pinch you on the exit. Five is flat while six and seven prove much more tricky, six is an approach zone to seven which is fast and has a blind apex. Run wide here and you'll do well to remain in the session. Eight is a very tight right hander leading downhill to a long left hand turn nine. Turn ten is virtually a hairpin, very tight and again leading downhill. Eleven is flat out in the dry but in wet conditions can be difficult. Turn twelve is simple left hander leading all the way uphill through 13, 14 and 15 back to the start finish straight.

The lap of Interlagos is very challenging, particularly in the wet. There are a number of overtaking opportunities around the lap, but it's a tight circuit and mistakes will be punished here. Turn one and four will be strong points for overtakes thanks to DRS. But also watch out turns eight, ten and twelve. If it's wet which may predict, it will be rather exciting.

2013 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix.

This weekend is the final round of the 2013 season and it marks the end of not just the year, but also the F1 career of popular Australian Mark Webber. He arrived in Formula 1 with tremendous fifth place finish at his home Grand Prix in 2002, then driving a Minardi. He's taken nine race victories in his career including two wins in Monaco. We all know Mark is a very honest person and doesn't hold back, he will call a spade a spade. When he was asked if he always felt good at Red Bull by the official F1 website, he replied, “Well, everything is well documented: there have been tough moments at times , but it is a thing of the past now”. One thing is for sure, Mark Webber will be missed from Formula 1.

He isn't the only one leaving either; Felipe Massa ends his Ferrari career after eight years. The Brazilian admits his final home Grand Prix for the Scuderia will be emotional. “It will be very emotional racing at Interlagos for Ferrari for the final time, just competing in the Brazilian Grand Prix is a dream for all Brazilian racing drivers”. He told reporters. “Winning is a feeling that is hard to describe. Winning here in 2006, in my first year with Ferrari, was definitely the most incredible race of my life. I had a special race suit featuring the yellow and green colours of our national flag and standing on the top step of the podium was more than I had ever expected from my life”. Felipe Massa joins young Finn Valtteri Bottas at Williams for next season. He is the longest serving Ferrari driver in Formula 1.

This weekend also marks the end of an era for the sport as the V8 engines will be replaced by V6 Turbo power units from next year. The V8's were introduced in 2006 and have proved ever more reliable, but once again Formula 1 is aware that emissions and costs need to be cut. Fernando Alonso won the opening race of the V8 era with Renault, it would be nice to see him close it with victory this weekend too. I will be sorry to see the V8 go at the end of this weekend as will many people I suspect. They have been extremely reliable and they sound superb.

Ones to watch:

The obvious is of course Sebastian Vettel, but will he be challenged for the lead this weekend? The answer is possibly. There are drivers who have a point to prove this weekend, and Mark Webber will want to go out on a high. Felipe Massa equally will want to get the best finish possible to his Ferrari career. Heikki Kovalainen will be looking for another strong performance throughout this weekend in the Lotus. Valtteri Bottas had a magnificent performance at Williams in Austin last week, he will want a repeat performance. Also watch out for Paul Di Resta who admits he may miss out on a drive for next season, he needs a solid result in Brazil to help secure a drive. The same can be said also for Max Chilton.

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