Home F1 FIA shares Brazil GP track changes; Hamilton adds on Senna’s run

F1, FIA, Brazil GP, Lewis Hamilton — SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 04: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT04 leads Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A523 Renault and Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin AMR23 Mercedes on track during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 04, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202311040357 // Usage for editorial use only //

FIA shares Brazil GP track changes; Hamilton adds on Senna’s run

31/10/2024

The FIA has shared track limits for F1 Brazil GP along with circuit changes, DRS zones, as Lewis Hamilton speak on Ayrton Senna’s McLaren.

The track limits for F1 Brazil GP at Interlagos remains the white lines with no additional note from FIA Race Director. But the change made to the circuit is in good number, especially with regards to resurfacing which has been done on the entire track.

The list states:

The track and the pit lane have been fully resurfaced.
The grass pavers in Turn 7 on LHS and RHS have been replaced with a layer of concrete.
New debris fence between Turn 13 and Turn 14 on LHS.
The debris fence between Turn 14 and Turn 1 has been replaced with new debris fence.
The guardrail and tyre barrier in Turn 7 on LHS has been realigned.
New openings installed in Turn 1 run-off and in Turn 15 on RHS.
New opening installed on Start/Finish on RHS.

In terms of the DRS zones, the first one’s detection zone is at the apex of Turn 2 and its activation is 30m after Turn 3. At the same time, the second’s detection zone is 30m after Turn 13 and its activation is 160m before Turn 15.

As for the FIA stewards panel, it will be led by Dr. Gerd Ennser, who will have the support of Andrew Mallalieu, Johnny Herbert and Luciano Burti. In other news, Aston Martin noted about Fernando Alonso missing the Thursday media duties after he flew off to Europe for a health check-up.

He missed the same in Mexico as well and the team revealed that he had an intestinal problem. Likewise, Haas noted of Nico Hulkenberg joining the media day late in the day after a flight delay. There’s also a potential 5-place grid drop coming for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Brazil.

He is likely to take up a new ICE and no other components. Also, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton confirmed to drive Ayrton Senna’s McLaren Honda MP4/5B from 1990 F1 season. It was supposed to be a secret but it got leaked in Brazilian media and it had to be confirmed eventually.

It will take place on Saturday after the main F1 qualifying is done. “I love coming here,” said Hamilton. “I’ve been really excited about the trip and just getting back. Every opportunity I get to spend time here, you learn more about the culture and able to engage more. The Senna Foundation did an amazing event on Wednesday about the great work they are doing.

“It’s the colours, it’s Ayrton, it’s the culture of the people. You just vibe off that for the whole weekend. Everytime we come here is an opportunity to do that [special helmet], and so many of the drivers also do that but I never in a million years thought I’d ever get to drive Senna’s car here.

“When my manager told me about it, I jumped at the opportunity. Back in the day at McLaren, I did get the chance to drive the MP4/4 around Silverstone, which was incredible. Just the thought of driving that car around here – I remember the races when he won here and held the flag. It will definitely be quite an emotional experience and I hope people are here to see it.

“I had a helmet made – his helmet made for me – but I don’t know if we’re using that. The initial hope for it to be a surprise. I had a whole white suit and his helmet and would go out and drive the lap and it would just look like it was him out there. But somehow it got out there. It’s impossible to keep things quiet.

“Regarding the old-school car, I’m always heel-and-toeing! No, I used to be pretty good when I was younger and when I did the MP4/4, I was able to do it back then, something I miss, I wish we had that in F1. The two pedal thing is not exciting, bring back the H-box, it was awesome,” summed up Hamilton.

Here’s FIA Race Directors’ Note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20S%C3%A3o%20Paulo%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Director’s%20Event%20Notes.pdf

Pirelli’s Ayrton Senna tribute, Sebastian Vettel undertaking his (as per press release) –

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of Ayrton Senna and, as was the case at Imola back in May, events and tributes will be held at Interlagos. Pirelli will be involved, in conjunction with the Senna Institute, auctioning a special version of the Pole Position Award in the Brazilian national colours, also featuring the legendary Brazilian’s logo. Furthermore, as was the case at five previous races this year, there will be a special edition of the Pirelli Podium Cap, also in the colours of the national flag with the Senna logo, paying tribute to a driver who will forever be remembered not just by all Brazilians, but also by all those who love Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel, in collaboration with Pimp my Carroca, has organised a waste picker challenge event around the Interlagos Circuit. The activity is centred on giving visibility to the invaluable work done by waste pickers, the environmental heroes numbering nearly 1 million workers in Brazil alone and over 20 million worldwide, responsible in this country for handling 90% of everything that is recycled.

With Brazilian recycling heroes as team masters, the Waste Picker Challenge is a hands-on experience to clean up the streets while highlighting the importance of social and environmental care, recycling, and community involvement. Highlighting this, two internationally renowned artists – Mundano and Matthias Garff have collaborated with Sebastian to create an iconic art installation in the form of a Senna helmet made entirely from recycled materials. This helmet symbolizes both Ayrton Senna’s legacy and the urgent need for environmental stewardship in today’s world.

The helmet will be unveiled at the track during the Formula 1 weekend in Brazil, serving as a powerful reminder of how collective efforts can lead to meaningful change. All media are welcome to join us to view the helmet artwork and for picture opportunities with it, Sebastian Vettel and F1 drivers at the Senna Esses at 17:00 on Thursday 31st October.