Interlagos racing track is a track with contrasting demands. First of all there is a bumpy surface which has been resurfaced in 2004 and again in 2007. This fact combined with the anti-clockwise run of the circuit, create a great physical challenge for the pilots racing there. Also the track combines one of the longest straights with many slow turns along with some fast curves. Overtaking is possible especially during the braking for the first chicane after the long straight. So there is a great demand for top speed in order for a pilot to climb up some places. Let’s see an analytic review of the various demands of this track:

Aerodynamics:
The first and last sector of the track are quite fast and consist of straights and fast curves. The demand for aerodynamic pressure is low, in order to have a good top speed. However, the second sector of the track is very demanding in aerodynamic pressure. The consecutive, slow, hairpins suggest that the car should have enough downforce to be able to turn, accelerate and brake. These factors give out an optimum setting for a single fast lap. Racing against other cars is different, however. During the race the car should have a high top speed in order to be able to overtake others and sustain any position taken. So downforce settings are slightly lower than optimum, leading to an aerodynamic solution similar to that used for Bahrain track.

Mechanical:
Compromising the various demands of the track is not easy in Interlagos. Some sectors of the track are taken into consideration more than others. In Interlagos the most important corner is number 12. The exit will determine the top speed the car will reach during the 15 seconds of full throttle of the uphill section. The need of having a great turn exit at that spot is so great that it is OK to suffer some understeering during the middle section of the track. The second factor taken into consideration is the bumpy surface. The surface has been improved in 2004 and again during this season, so the teams will have the opportunity to run on lower ride heights. There is not a great need for braking, as the hard braking points are just three, leading to brake settings similar to Barcelona’s.

Tyres:
The few high speed corners along with the fact that the surface is not particularly abrasive, allow the usage of softer tyres. Bridgestone will provide the teams with the soft and super soft compounds.

Engine Performance:
The long straight at the end of sector 3 - beginning of sector 1, demands over 15 seconds of full throttle. However the positioning of the track at 800m above the sea level causes the engines to lose around 7% of their output due to reduced atmospheric pressure. This reduces the demand of some components such as pistons, while some other certain parts are subject to significant loads. Drivability is another important factor especially during the middle sector, with significant direction changes, acceleration and braking inputs. So there is also a need for smooth power delivery that will help maintaining a stable balance and optimum driving lines.