Coulthard's guide to Interlagos
David Coulthard raced his last (unfortunately very short) grand prix here last year, in his Wings For Life car. In total he’s raced 14 times around the track, including a win in 2001. Here’s his guide to the track and Sao Paulo itself…
David Coulthard: “There’s a great history surrounding the track at Sao Paulo, it’s been in the world championship for many years. It’s anti-clockwise, so very physical for the left-hand of the driver’s neck and at altitude so horsepower is affected.
"This does make it challenging for the engine guys, but may take the pressure off Sebastian’s engine allocation because the duty cycle will be a little bit less in Brazil.
“The start of the lap you go through the Senna Esses wide entry, down hill then along the back straight into the middle sector of the lap which is a bit of a roller coaster ride because Sao Paulo is built on a hill and then towards the end of the lap drop through a left-hander into the last corner which is famously where Hamilton passed Glock last year to go on and win the world championship.
“Then a long uphill left-hander which then starts to drop over the start-finish line. It’s a short lap but very challenging on the driver and it’s going to be crucial for the world championship.
“I do enjoy going to Brazil because Brazilians on the whole are a happy people, even those who are not as well off as others generally tend to be samba-ing and smiling and what have you. It also can be quite dangerous as well but I personally have not ever had any problems.”
