Brazilian Grand Prix facts for kids
| Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Intermittently 1972–1980, 1990–present) |
|
_track_map.svg) |
|
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 51 |
| First held | 1972 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Alain Prost (6) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  McLaren (12) |
| Circuit length | 4.309 km (2.677 mi) |
| Race length | 305.879 km (190.064 mi) |
| Laps | 71 |
| Last race (2023) | |
| Pole position | |
|
|
| Podium | |
|
|
| Fastest lap | |
|
|
The Brazilian Grand Prix (Portuguese: Grande Prêmio do Brasil) is a famous Formula One car race. It is now called the São Paulo Grand Prix (Portuguese: Grande Prêmio de São Paulo). The race takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace track. This track is in the Interlagos neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil.
History of the Brazilian Grand Prix
Early Racing in Brazil
Car racing began in Brazil even before World War II. Races were held on a street track called Gávea in Rio de Janeiro. This started in 1934. Brazil's first permanent race track, Interlagos, began construction in 1936. It was finished in 1940. Interlagos quickly became known as a very tough track. It had many challenging turns and changes in height. The surface was also quite bumpy.
Formula One Arrives
The first Brazilian Grand Prix was held in 1972 at Interlagos. This race was a test to see if the track could host a real Formula One event. The next year, in 1973, the race officially joined the Formula One World Championship. A local hero, Emerson Fittipaldi, won this first official race. He won again in 1974. In 1975, another São Paulo driver, Carlos Pace, won the race.
For a short time, drivers complained about the very rough track surface at Interlagos. So, the race moved to a new track in Rio de Janeiro, called Jacarepaguá, for one year in 1978.
Moving to Rio: Jacarepaguá
The Jacarepaguá track in Rio de Janeiro hosted the Brazilian Grand Prix from 1978 and then from 1981 to 1989. This track was also very demanding for drivers. It had long, fast corners and a rough surface. Races in Rio were often held in very hot and humid weather. This made the races very tiring for the drivers.
In 1982, Alain Prost won the race. He would go on to win at Jacarepaguá four more times. This earned him the nickname "the King of Rio." In 1988, a rising star, Ayrton Senna, had a dramatic race. He started from the pit lane but was later disqualified. The 1989 race was the last one at Jacarepaguá. It was won by Nigel Mansell.
Return to a New Interlagos
Because of the success of São Paulo native Ayrton Senna, the Interlagos track was updated. It was made shorter and smoother. In 1990, the Grand Prix returned to Interlagos, and it has been held there ever since. The Interlagos track is now known as one of the most exciting and challenging tracks in Formula One.
The first race back at Interlagos in 1990 was won by Alain Prost. In 1991, Ayrton Senna won his first Brazilian Grand Prix. It was a very emotional win for him. His car's gearbox was failing, and he had to drive with only one gear near the end. He was so tired that he needed help getting out of his car.
In 1994, Michael Schumacher won the race. Sadly, Senna, who was now driving for Williams, spun out of the race and passed away later that year in another race. The 2001 race was exciting because Juan Pablo Montoya showed his skill by passing Michael Schumacher.
The 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix was very chaotic due to heavy rain. Many drivers spun off the track. There was confusion about who won, but eventually, Giancarlo Fisichella was declared the winner. In 2005, Fernando Alonso became the youngest Formula One World Champion at this race.
In 2006, the Brazilian Grand Prix was the final race of the season. Michael Schumacher had an amazing drive, moving up many places after a flat tire. However, Fernando Alonso won the championship again. Brazilian driver Felipe Massa won the race, making his home crowd very happy.
In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen won the race and his first championship. In 2008, Lewis Hamilton became the youngest Formula One World Champion at the time. He secured the title in the very last corner of the race.
The 2009 race also decided the champion, with Jenson Button winning his only title. In 2012, Sebastian Vettel won his third straight championship after a difficult start to the race. This race was also the last for the legendary Michael Schumacher.
The contract for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos has been extended until 2025. The 2020 race was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The São Paulo Grand Prix
Formula One returned to Interlagos in 2021, and the race was renamed the São Paulo Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton won the main race after starting from the back of the grid due to a penalty. In 2022, Hamilton's teammate, George Russell, won both the sprint race and the main race in São Paulo.
Five Brazilian drivers have won the Brazilian Grand Prix. Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, and Felipe Massa have each won twice. Carlos Pace won once. The driver with the most wins is Alain Prost, who has won the race six times.
Future of the Race
There have been talks about moving the race back to Rio de Janeiro. A new track would need to be built there. However, these plans have faced challenges. Many, including Lewis Hamilton, have expressed concerns about the environmental impact, especially regarding deforestation. In 2021, the plans for a new track in Rio were officially stopped. This means the race will continue at Interlagos for now.
Winners
Repeat winners (drivers)
Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Alain Prost |
1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990 |
| 4 |  Carlos Reutemann |
1972, 1977, 1978, 1981 |
 Michael Schumacher |
1994, 1995, 2000, 2002 | |
| 3 | Sebastian Vettel |
2010, 2013, 2017 |
| Lewis Hamilton |
2016, 2018, 2021 | |
| 2 |  Emerson Fittipaldi |
1973, 1974 |
| Nelson Piquet |
1983, 1986 | |
| Nigel Mansell |
1989, 1992 | |
 Ayrton Senna |
1991, 1993 | |
 Mika Häkkinen |
1998, 1999 | |
 Juan Pablo Montoya |
2004, 2005 | |
| Felipe Massa |
2006, 2008 | |
 Mark Webber |
2009, 2011 | |
| Nico Rosberg |
2014, 2015 | |
 Max Verstappen |
2019, 2023 | |
| Source: | ||
Repeat winners (constructors)
Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | McLaren |
1974, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2012 |
| 11 |  Ferrari |
1976, 1977, 1978, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017 |
| 6 | Williams |
1981, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2004 |
 Red Bull |
2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2023 | |
| Mercedes |
2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 | |
| 3 | Brabham |
1972, 1975, 1983 |
| 2 | Renault |
1980, 1982 |
| Benetton |
1994, 1995 | |
| Source: | ||
Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)
Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Ferrari |
1976, 1977, 1978, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017 |
| Mercedes ** |
1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 | |
| 10 | Renault |
1980, 1982, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 |
| 9 |  Ford * |
1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1993, 1994, 2003 |
| 4 |  Honda |
1986, 1988, 1991, 2019 |
| 3 |  TAG *** |
1984, 1985, 1987 |
| 2 | BMW |
1983, 2004 |
| Source: | ||
* Built by Cosworth, funded by Ford
** Between 1998 and 2005 built by Ilmor, funded by Mercedes
*** Built by Porsche
By year
- A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
- Since 2021 the event has been held under the name "São Paulo Grand Prix".
Images for kids
-
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, where the Brazilian Grand Prix is held
-
The safety car at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de Brasil para niños
