6 Hours of Sao Paulo Circuit Guide

imola-racetrack

Ten years. That’s how long it’s been since the World Endurance Championship (WEC) last took place here. Known officially as Autódromo José Carlos Pace, or Interlagos, the Sao Paulo circuit is home to six hours of epic endurance motorsport near to this vibrant Brazilian city. This guide will delve into the key things you need to know about the track, so you can make the most of the action.

Ready? Set? Let’s go.

 

Where is the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo Circuit?

Visit Sao Paulo and you’ll be presented with the capital city of the state of Sao Paulo, in Brazil. It’s known for being the most populous in the country, and fourth in the world overall – with a staggering 21.8 million inhabitants. It’s filled with towering skyscrapers, especially down Avenida Paulista. Here, you can expect to see shops, market stalls, street performances and more. Fancy a bit of nature? They’ve got that too. Ibirapuera Park is equivalent to New York’s Central Park, a green spot nestled within a sprawling metropolis.

 

6 Hours of Sao Paulo Facts and Stats

  • First race year in WEC – 2012
  • Total length in lap distance (miles) – 2.7 miles
  • Number of turns – 15
  • Overall duration (hours) – Six
  • Most successful drivers (in WEC) – Alexander Wurz, Andre Lotterer, Marc Lieb
  • Example top speeds:
    • MP1 class: L. Di Grossi – 176.1 mph (2012)
    • LMGTE Pro: G. Bruni – 152.5 mph (2012)

6 Hours of Sao Paulo Circuit – What You Need to Know

 

Let’s delve into the key things you need to know about the track.

The circuit is built on hilly ground, meaning there’s more demand on both drivers and race cars. Unlike most tracks, the circuit runs anticlockwise. 

The long start-finish straight moves into a first sector that combines higher-speed corners and shorter straights. The middle sector is the slowest and most technical, featuring an ever-tightening right-left-right complex. The third and final sector presents a series of gradually opening left turns, joining back onto the main straight.

At 2.7 miles, it’s one of the shorter tracks in use across top tier motorsport, but what it lacks in outright length it more than makes up for in history, heritage and drama. 

 

The Sao Paulo race circuit underwent a massive multi-million-dollar renovation project in 2014. There’s a new pitlane exit and entry. Remember the hillside behind Laranjinha? That’s gone. There’s now a concrete wall, allowing more space for the new pit lane entry. The track itself is a little further back too, allowing for more run-off.

 

There’s often a chance to see some overtaking action early in the lap. The end of the start-finish straight gives an opportunity for late-brake daredevils to steal a march on their rivals. The flat terrain and long straight between turns three and four provide great chances for adventurous drivers to sneak ahead. But turns five to eight allow for higher-speed, flowing racing. Turn 10 is where it gets tricky – it’s a tight one. Turn 12 is critical as exit speed will determine your speed on the straight.

 

The main spectator stands are:

  • Grandstand M – Based near turn one, you’ll have a nice view of the first few corners. 
  • Grandstands D and H – Near turns one and two, giant screens ensure you won’t miss any of the action.
  • Grandstand R – Close to turn three, it’s covered and raised, meaning no catch fencing obstructing your view.
  • Grandstands G and S – It’s right next to the R Grandstand, with uncovered bleacher style seats, and a giant screen.
  • Grandstand V – By turn four, you’ll see cars coming at you head-on. It’s not as close to the track as some of the other stands due to a large run-off but it’s a good one for snapping some Insta-worthy shots.
  • Grandstand A – The biggest stand at the circuit. Its elevation gives you a splendid view and the atmosphere is electric. Feel the buzz of the crowd as the adrenaline-fuelled action takes place right in front of you.
  • Grandstand B – A little further down from Grandstand A, it’s right in front of the pit lane. You can see the final corner too, as it goes back into turn one.

 

Why Visit the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo?

 

Expect thrills, spills, and hills as the World Endurance Championship comes back to the Sao Paulo circuit after a long hiatus. With daring overtakes, spectacular panoramic views and an electric atmosphere, WEC fans are in for a treat at the Six Hours of Sao Paulo.

Follow @HertzRacingGold

@Instagram                    @Facebook