Brazil Grand Prix Watch Party

Join us at the Celtic this Sunday for the pre-race starting at 9:30a with lights out for the race start at 10.00a.

Speedlab Sim Racing will be back with their custom quad-sim trailer down at the Celtic and parking on 14th street. They will be joining us for Brazil and Vegas.

Because of the group size and staffing needs, we request that everyone meet the "two-drink minimum." That being said, ordering food counts, so even if you're not a drinker, it shouldn't be hard to find something. Just get anything, and the Celtic will continue to welcome us with open arms.

New and long-time fans of every driver/team are welcome. If it's your first time and/or you'll be alone, send us a DM and we'll set aside a spot for you in the Organizers' VIP Paddock so you can make some new friends (space permitting).

When was the Autódromo José Carlos Pace built?

Building work began on what ended up being called the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace – but what is more commonly referred to as Interlagos – all the way back in 1938. The track designers took their inspiration from three main circuits: Brooklands in the UK, Roosevelt Raceway in the USA and Montlhery in France.

When was its first Grand Prix?

Buoyed by the success of Brazil’s Emerson Fittipaldi, Formula 1 first jetted into Interlagos for a world championship race in 1973. Fans were treated to a home win in the first three Brazilian Grands Prix, with Fittipaldi victorious in 1973 and 1974, while Carlos Pace won in 1975.

What’s the circuit like?

Like many pre-World War II tracks, Interlagos features banked corners, with the drivers beginning their lap on a sort of half oval – in fact, between 1957 and the track’s return to the F1 calendar in 1990, Interlagos could be run as a giant oval. After wiggling through the Senna S and down to Turn 4, the drivers then go through a snaking in-field section with some challenging camber changes, before slinging back up the hill and through the banked final turn.

Why go?

A carnival atmosphere really does dominate in Brazil, and watching Formula 1 cars alongside the locals is something every F1 fan should experience. And with a local driver back on the grid in the form of Gabriel Bortoleto, there will be no stopping the party at Interlagos.

Where is the best place to watch?

Because of the bowl-like nature of the track, a place in Grandstand A on the banked entry to the start-finish straight will give you a double whammy of views, allowing you to see the cars winding through the infield section and then passing underneath you. On the other end of the straight, Grandstand M will put you on top of the first corner and the Senna S, the best spot to watch overtakes on the track.