Everything You Need to Know About Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

F1 returns to Interlagos for Round 20 of the 2026 season, with the drivers' title already decided but constructors' points and pride still on the line. The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace remains one of F1's most iconic and demanding circuits.

Why it matters:

Interlagos has hosted F1 since 1973, building a reputation for unpredictable weather, dramatic races and a passionate local crowd. Its anti-clockwise layout and elevation changes make it a true driver's challenge. This year, new Straight Mode and Overtake Mode zones add another strategic layer under the 2026 regulations.

The details:

• Circuit stats: 4.309 km, 15 turns, 71 laps, 305.879 km race distance. Lap record: 1m 10.540s (Valtteri Bottas, 2018).
• History: First held in 1973, won by Emerson Fittipaldi. Carlos Pace won in 1975 and the track was named after him in 1985. It has been a permanent fixture since 1990.
• Driving challenge: The anti-clockwise layout and long left-handers strain the neck. Turn 1 rewards late braking but risks front-left lockups. The middle sector demands rhythm, while the final corner is critical for exit speed onto the long uphill straight.
• Overtaking zones: Two Straight Mode zones – Turn 14 exit to Turn 1, and Turns 3 to 4. Overtake detection is after Turn 12, with activation at Turn 13 exit. Drivers within a second of the car ahead get an extra electrical boost.
• Fun facts: Interlagos means 'between lakes' and sits at 765m elevation. Only one of the last nine races here had no safety car (2018). Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have three wins each; Hamilton starts his 400th Grand Prix this weekend.

What's next:

With the championship settled, focus shifts to constructors' standings and individual battles. Interlagos should deliver its usual mix of unpredictable weather and intense racing.