Part 3

F1 26 Brazil track guide for Interlagos. Learn about Pit Straight, Turn 1 (S do Senna), and avoiding Stop-Go Penalties.

Setup Options:

• Low-downforce: Ideal for the upper part of the course featuring long, flat-out segments and high speeds.
• High-downforce: Highly beneficial for the lower part of the course, which has tight corners and significant elevation changes.

Pit Straight:

• This is the highest elevation point on the course.
• There is no room to pull off if a car has a problem.
• It is the fastest portion of the course, leading into the most dangerous corner.
• Several left-hand fades exist along the 'Pit Straight.'
• This is the longest stretch of flat-out acceleration.
• The optimal racing line is hard to the left; avoid rubbing the left-side barriers.
• The Pit Entrance is to the left and cars can enter at top speed.

Turn 1 (S do Senna):

• Follows immediately after the incredibly long and fast 'Pit Straight.'
• This is by far the most dangerous turn on the course.
• It is a tight, left-hand, semi-blind, downhill corner.
• Requires severe braking long before reaching the turn.
• Warning: Unless you have PERFECT confidence in your car's braking AND turning ability, this is definitely NOT a place to pass.
• For those who overrun the corner, there is a sizeable patch of kitty litter.
• There is also a two-level barrier; the first barrier is a short segment, allowing you to drive behind it and come out in the middle of Turn 3 if necessary.

Turn 2 (S do Senna):

• Follows immediately after Turn 1.
• This is a gentle left-hand turn which can be taken at full speed.
• Excellent acceleration out of Turn 1 makes the exit of Turn 2 and the ensuing straightaway a prime passing zone.

Turn 3:

• A hard-braking right-hand corner following a long straightaway.
• There is a wide recovery area and an extended run-off lane.
• Moderate speed can be made coming out of Turn 3, but the straightaway is virtually non-existent, requiring moderate braking for Turn 4.
• Warning: This is definitely NOT a place to pass (safely).
• Traffic tends to bunch up here for Turns 3 and 4.

Turn 4:

• A left-hand corner requiring at least moderate braking.
• To the outside of the corner is a wide, paved recovery area.
• Warning: Driving too far out to the right will result in a Stop-Go Penalty.
• Good acceleration out of Turn 4 can set up a good passing opportunity.

Turn 5:

• A gentle right-hand corner through the trees which leads to a nice straightaway.
• No braking is necessary here.

Turn 6:

• A semi-hidden moderate-braking right-hand corner.
• Traffic will sometimes bunch up here, as drivers try to spot the corner.
• A wide recovery zone is available here as well.

Turn 7:

• Immediately following Turn 6, Turn 7 is a very gentle left-hand corner which brings you alongside the northernmost end of Albert Park Lake.

Turn 8:

• Almost not a turn at all, as it curves extremely gently along the shoreline.

Turn 9:

• Warning: The first piece of pavement to the right is NOT the official corner; taking this bypass area results in a Stop-Go Penalty.
• The official corner is a tight right-hand turn which requires moderate or hard braking.
• Traffic almost always bunches up here.

Turn 10:

• Almost not a turn at all, as it curves extremely gently to the left and back along the shoreline.
• Warning: There is absolutely NO room for error on the right side of the track, as the pavement runs directly up against the barrier.
• The view of Albert Park Lake is quite serene from here, but don't take your eyes off the course.

Turns 11 and 12:

• If you are not navigating traffic, these turns can be taken at full speed, although some drivers may feel more comfortable with tapping the brakes once in each turn.
• Warning: Sliding even one pixel across the rumble strips on either side of the road results in a Stop-Go Penalty.

Straightaway (after Turn 12):

• The pavement runs directly up against the barrier on the left side of the course here, creating problems for cars on the left whose engines suddenly expire.

Turn 13:

• A semi-blind right-hand corner requiring moderate braking if you are alone.
• Traffic tends to bunch up here.
• The recovery area is quite wide, with an extremely long run-off area if needed.
• This leads to a short straightaway which can be a prime passing zone if acceleration out of Turn 13 is strong.

Turn 14:

• A light-braking, right-hand corner with a wide recovery area.
• This is a good place to pass on braking upon entering the corner.

Turn 15:

• Warning: Do not be fooled by the run-off lane which goes directly ahead into an unforgiving barrier; there IS a turn to the left here requiring moderate braking.
• This is also a good place to pass on braking when entering the corner.
• The Pit Entry is immediately to the right upon exiting the corner, so be sure to look for cars moving slower than expected as they enter Pit Lane.

Turn 16:

• Without traffic, this right-hand corner can be taken at full speed if you slowed enough in Turn 15.
• Warning: Be careful with the approach and exit angles for this turn, as the barrier (and a grandstand) is just a few feet off the pavement on the left as you exit the corner.
• This leads onto the Pit Straight.

Pit Entry:

• The Pit Lane begins immediately after Turn 15.
• It is possible to enter at a fairly high speed, but there will be a turn to the right very quickly, requiring moderate braking.
• Before entering the main Pit area, there is a right-left chicane, so be prepared to truly slam on the brakes, or else the nose of your car will slam into the Pit Lane barrier.