IFRL History
Autódromo José Carlos Pace opened on May 12, 1940, between two São Paulo reservoirs; the name Interlagos means "between lakes." The original layout was nearly eight kilometers. In 1990 it was shortened to about 4.3 km, with the first two corners drawn with help from Ayrton Senna; they’re still called the Senna S. Senna finally won at home in 1991 with a failing gearbox, driving the last laps stuck in sixth gear while Riccardo Patrese closed in. He won anyway. Remember that the next time one missed shift feels like the end of your evening.
Fun fact
Senna won at Interlagos in 1991 despite finishing stuck in sixth gear.
The corners that matter
The Senna S (1 and 2) is the race and the lap-one funnel: brake hard at the end of the uphill pit straight, drop left, then right. Three cars entering rarely become three happy cars leaving. Descida do Lago (4) is the next real pass; the downhill approach rewards a settled car. Ferradura and Laranjinha are for following, not forcing. Bico de Pato is tight; patience beats an extra downshift. Juncão (12) is the lap-time corner: brake early enough for a useful late apex, because a bad exit hands the whole uphill climb to whoever’s behind you. The inside wall at the Senna S does not move.
Main-event strategy
No rain in GT7 here, so random weather won’t save a bad tire call. The lap is short, so 30 minutes is a lot of corners and a lot of front-left wear. One stop: mediums first, fresh rubber when the left front starts to wash. The pit entry peels left after Juncão; a sloppy in-lap there costs the climb and the next Senna S. Fuel is fine if you short-shift up the hill. The Porsche 911 RSR and the Toyota GR Supra turn in without killing that inside front; a heavy nose cooks the left front by lap eight. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is the calm choice if the S keeps biting.
Garage notes
Medium-high downforce; there’s only one real straight and it’s uphill. Gear for about 170 mph. Front camber a little more negative to protect the left front. Softer rear to help traction out of Juncão.
Opener notes
The S660 is a mid-engine kei car with almost no power and a lot of steering. Reverse grid will be comedy at the Senna S. Brake early. It rotates if you lift and understeers if you ask for lock and throttle together. Momentum beats braking everywhere; Juncão is your friend because everyone else is impatient. Don’t stall it on the hill.
“If you cannot pass at the Senna S, you cannot pass.”
