The São Paulo Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos, is a gem on the Formula 1 calendar steeped in history, drama, and thrilling racing. Here are ten fascinating facts to test your knowledge and get you up to speed:
Quiz Questions:
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In what year did the first Formula 1 Grand Prix take place at São Paulo's Interlagos circuit?
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What is the length of the Interlagos track used for the Grand Prix?
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Who holds the official lap record at Interlagos as of 2018?
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Which legendary driver has secured the most wins at the Brazilian Grand Prix?
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The circuit was renamed in honor of which late Brazilian racing driver?
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How many laps are raced in the São Paulo Grand Prix?
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What is the typical probability of a Safety Car deployment during the race?
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Name one of the iconic features of the Interlagos circuit designed with input from Ayrton Senna.
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Which driver won the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2025?
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What is the race distance (km) covered in the São Paulo Grand Prix?
The São Paulo Grand Prix, held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace commonly called Interlagos has been a staple of the Formula 1 calendar since 1973. This historic circuit, built in 1940 on rugged terrain unsuited for housing, offers a challenging 4.309 km lap that pushes drivers to the limit with its steep elevation changes and high chance of rain making each race unpredictable.
The track is named in memory of José Carlos Pace, a 1975 race winner who tragically died in a plane crash just two years later. Interlagos is famous for the “Senna S” chicane, a fast downhill sequence designed with the help of local legend Ayrton Senna, which demands precision and bravery.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for most wins here, with four victories, while the official lap record was set by Valtteri Bottas in 2018, clocking in at 1:10.540. The Grand Prix runs for 71 laps covering almost 306 kilometers, and the circuit is known for its high likelihood of Safety Car deployments about 86% due to its mix of high-speed corners and trick weather conditions.
In 2025, Lando Norris secured a memorable win at Interlagos, boosting McLaren’s momentum following a tough start to the season. The São Paulo Grand Prix continues to deliver heart-stopping moments that shape championships and thrill fans.
This blend of rich history, technical circuit detail, and recent race outcomes paints the full picture of why the São Paulo GP remains one of the most beloved and crucial stops in the Formula 1 world.
Were you paying attention to the on-track action at Interlagos over the weekend?
As usual, the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace delivered another exciting and dramatic weekend of racing with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
It was a dominant weekend for McLaren's Lando Norris, who swept the board to top every session, taking pole position for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, and then winning both races to seal maximum points and extend his lead in the title race.
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Answers:
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1973 marked the debut of the Formula 1 World Championship race at Interlagos.
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The circuit runs 4.309 kilometers (approximately 2.68 miles) per lap.
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Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas set the lap record in 2018 with a time of 1m 10.540s driving for Mercedes.
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Michael Schumacher holds the record with four Brazilian GP wins.
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The circuit is named Autódromo José Carlos Pace after the 1975 winner who tragically died in a plane crash two years later.
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The race covers 71 laps around the circuit.
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The Safety Car appears approximately 86% of the time, reflecting the track’s challenge level and variable weather.
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The "Senna ‘S’" corner, a fast downhill left-right chicane, was developed under Ayrton Senna’s supervision.
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Lando Norris took the win in the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix, marking a significant victory for McLaren.
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The race distance totals about 305.879 km.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer, the São Paulo GP never fails to deliver spectacular racing action and rich motorsport history. Test your motorsport knowledge with these questions, then dive in for a thrilling race experience.