After two exciting weekends in the Americas, Formula 1 heads to Brazil for the final stop in this final trio of races of the calendar. Known for its deep racing heritage, Brazil has given F1 some of its most legendary moments, with the Interlagos circuit consistently delivering high-stakes, unforgettable races.

The track’s unique layout and unpredictable weather conditions keep teams and drivers on their toes, ready to adapt to every twist and turn. Let’s examine the unique challenges of this iconic track and see how the teams are preparing to face them.

Everything you need to know about Interlagos

Autodromo José Carlos PaceInterlagos, also known as Interlagos, is a 4,309-kilometer track where drivers will complete 71 laps on Sunday. The track requires utmost precision from both drivers and car setup due to its mix of long straights and tight corners. There have been some great weekends here over the years, especially in 2021. Overtaking here is generally easier than at many other circuits, and we can almost certainly expect a two-stop race, adding an extra layer of excitement.

The common point in all three races on the American leg was the newly emerged tracks. While only a few sections were repaved in Austin and Mexico, in Brazil the entire track, including the pit lane, was repaved.

This presents a challenging weekend for engineers as the new surface introduces many unknowns. Adding to the complexity is the fact that Brazil is hosting a sprint weekend, meaning only one practice session before the sprint qualifiers. This limited time makes it difficult for teams to collect all the data needed to adjust vehicle balance to fit the new asphalt.

Therefore, single practice and a sprint race, as we saw in Austin, will be crucial for teams to gather as much information as possible to best prepare for Sunday. Thanks to the “friction” effect on the fresh surface, we can expect lap times to increase significantly as the weekend progresses.

To make things even more unpredictable, Pirelli has decided to offer softer tires than last year; hard compound C3, medium compound C4 and the softest tire C5. Last year almost all drivers started the main race on soft tyres, then switched to medium tyres, finishing the race again on red-marked tyres.

Let’s not forget the unpredictable weather in Brazil, which can change in an instant.

Brazilian Grand Prix: Aerodynamic settings for the weekend

Teams generally opt for a medium to high downforce package to optimize grip on Interlagos’ twisty home circuit and maintain stability on iconic corners such as Senna’s S and Curva do Sol. However, for high speeds on the long main straight, it is very important to balance downforce with low drag.

Unfortunately the migration configuration to Interlagos

Rear wing configurations for Interlagos#BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/ipIK4M6Z8s

— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) 31 October 2024

Y 4 months

And 4 more#f1 pic.twitter.com/1npBeiTN5W

— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) 31 October 2024

From the images above, we can see that high downforce installations are preferred by many teams, especially Aston Martin and Red Bull. Since Interlagos is an anti-clockwise track, rear end stability is crucial here, with the right rear tire taking the most strain. Considering all factors, keeping the rear tires within the optimum temperature range will likely be more difficult than usual.

A team worth highlighting McLarenThe one who brought a new rear wing to this race. We’ve seen McLaren upgrades deliver solid gains before, and these changes appear to be improvements to those updates.

The main plate of the rear wing now has a different central shape with a more pronounced “spoon” geometry. The DRS plane remains at a steep angle, increasing top speed when the system is on.

Another striking detail in the rear wing images is the load measurement points later used by the FIA ​​to control wing flex.

After the race, the FIA ​​will use footage from the rear cameras to monitor any wing deviations relative to permissible limits. This is not new, but the number of loading points has increased and they are now placed in pairs for better tracking.

More on the Brazilian Grand Prix

Meet the FIA ​​officials who will enforce the rules at the Brazilian GP

F1 AMA: We answered your questions ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix

Brazilian GP: Who will be best suited for Interlagos?

It’s difficult to make definitive predictions in this exciting and unpredictable F1 season. An interesting fact is that each of the last four races has had a different winner; This is something we haven’t seen in a long time.

Ferrari look to be the team in top form at the moment, but the MCL38 is still the car to beat on pure performance. When in clear air, the Ferrari drivers manage to maintain their advantage on the track, as we have seen in the last two races. But the new surface and limited time for adjustments will shift the focus to each team’s engineers, who will have a crucial role this weekend. So unless we encounter any surprises, Ferrari and McLaren seem to be the biggest candidates for victory.

Besides them, there are also Red Bull and Mercedes, which are having trouble with form. Red Bull still looks stronger with Max Verstappen at the wheel, extracting every ounce of performance from his car. These two teams are the only teams to have won the main races at this track in the last five weekends.

All eyes will be on Verstappen and Norris as they continue their fight for the championship. His teammates, both of whom lack the expected form, will also play a critical role. What is certain is that we are entering a weekend full of excitement and action.

Read next: Five big questions we want to answer at the Brazilian Grand Prix