2008 DATA:

Length: 4.309 km	No of Laps: 71 (305.909 Km)
2008 Pole Position: F. Massa - 1:12.368 min (Ferrari)	Lap Record: J. P. Montoya - 1:11.473 min (Williams)
2008 Fastest Lap: F. Massa - 1:13.736 min (Ferrari)	2008 Top 8: 1. F. Massa (Ferrari) 2. F. Alonso (Renault) 3. K. Räikkönen (Ferrari) 4. S. Vettel (Toro Rosso) 5. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) 6. T. Glock (Toyota) 7. H. Kovalainen (McLaren Mercedes) 8. J. Trulli (Toyota)

Brazilian GP Facts:

Full throttle ratio	65%
Top speed race	314 km/h
Longest flat-out section	17 sec / 1220m
Right-/left-hand turns	5/10
Tyre wear	medium
Brake wear	low
Downforce level	medium
Gearshifts per lap	40

Circuit Profile: Autodromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo

Located in São Paulo, the Autodromo José Carlos Pace or Interlagos circuit in Brazil traces its roots to 1938 when what was originally intended as a housing development became a race track by default. When the two property developers who bought the land came to realise that the land was not suitable for housing, they decided to convert the land into a circuit. Years later, with the rapid pace of development in Sao Paulo, the circuit itself found itself surrounded by houses.

Emerson Fitipaldi’s international racing success in the 1970s sparked the desire amongst Brazilians to want their own Grand Prix. Interlagos soon came to host non-championship events in the early 1970s before hosting its first Grand Prix championship in 1973. Interlagos quickly became a good-luck charm for Brazilian racers like Fitipaldi, Carlos Pace and Carlos Reutemann who claimed victories in the 1970s. Interlagos was also the venue of Carlos Pace’s one and only Formula One victory. When he was tragically killed in a plane crash, the circuit was renamed in his honour. 
 

Since hosting its first Grand Prix, the circuit took a hiatus in 1978 when the Brazilian Grand Prix moved to Rio before moving back to Interlagos the next year. However, the notoriety of São Paulo’s slums became an issue with the glamorous image of Formula One and the Grand Prix move once again to Rio.

The city's most famous son, the late Ayrton Senna

But when Sao Paulo received an injection of $15m to redevelop the city slums, in the mid 1980s, the race moved back to Interlagos. Its profile was further elevated with the growth in popularity of one of the city’s own son, Ayrton Senna in the sport.

 

The Brazilian Grand Prix has since stayed at Interlagos. Though there has not been a Brazilian world champion since the tragic death of Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian passion for the sport has kept the fans coming back every year.
 

The Interlagos circuit is located in the heart of São Paulo’s suburbia, south of the city centre. The extensive transport network and public transport system ensures the accessibility of the circuit. The circuit is also served by the Guarulhos Airport to the north-east of the city.