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Five of Our Favourite São Paulo Moments

1 November 2023
8 Min Read

The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace holds so many memories in the hearts of F1 fans around the world. The Interlagos circuit has also been the site of many special moments for our Team. 

As we head back to the home of Grand Prix racing in Brasil this weekend, here’s a quick rundown of some of our favourite moments, including emotional goodbyes, epic comebacks and breakthrough wins.

2012: Emotional Message

Interlagos was quite often the scene of emotional farewells when it played host to the final race on the F1 calendar, and perhaps the sport’s greatest goodbye to date came in 2012. After 308 Grand Prix (58 with our Team), 91 wins, 68 poles and seven world championships, Michael Schumacher hung up his racing gloves following the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. On his way to the grid, he signed off to the watching world with this beautiful message.

“I would like to use the opportunity to say thank you, to all the boys, to all the mechanics, to all the engineers who I have been working with. Thanks for all these wonderful times and good memories.” 

Michael, who scored one podium with the Team at the 2012 European Grand Prix in Valencia, finished his final race in P7.

2016: Wet Weather Masterclass

The first Lewis Hamilton victory in São Paulo was one to remember. A torrential pre-race downpour meant the first six laps completed behind the Safety Car, but from the moment the green flag dropped, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Fired up by a thrilling title fight with team-mate Nico Rosberg, Lewis simply found grip where others could not on the soaked Interlagos tarmac. He would have won by more than the 11-second margin he did had it not been for a series of mid-race delays and stoppages, as drivers struggled to keep their cars pointing in the right direction in the slippery conditions. 

It seemed almost fitting that Lewis’ maiden win in the country of his hero Ayrton Senna came at the 44th running of the Brazilian Grand Prix as an F1 World Championship event. 

2018: Five in a Row

The Drivers’ World Championship had been sealed a week before in Mexico City, but there was still a job to do when the Team arrived in São Paulo in 2018. We needed to outscore Ferrari by 13 points to make it happen, and Lewis’ second win at Interlagos was more than enough to do just that. With Valtteri Bottas coming home P5 ahead of Raikkonen, the icing was on the cake and the celebrations could begin.

The title saw us become the second team in F1 history to win five consecutive Constructors’ titles, and was another step on our journey to the record-breaking eight in a row achieved in 2021.

2021: The Greatest Recovery

Without doubt one of the finest race weekends of Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious career. Demoted to last on Friday evening following a rear wing infringement, it seemed to inspire Lewis even more when he lined up for Saturday’s Sprint race in front of an adoring Brazilian crowd.

Raw speed, superb car control, and some daring overtaking saw Lewis charge through the field to P5 in just 24 laps, and even with a five-place penalty for a Power Unit change facing him for Sunday’s race, he certainly wasn’t done yet.

Nothing was going to stop Lewis come race day Sunday. From P10 he made quick work of the cars ahead, and by lap 19 only championship rival Max Verstappen was ahead. What followed was fierce battle between the two championships protagonists and with just 11 laps to go, Lewis made the move stick to complete one of F1’s greatest ever comebacks. From P20 at the start of the Sprint, to P1 at the chequered flag.

To the delight of the home fans, Lewis stood on the top step of the podium for the 101st time, draped in the Brazilian flag, with the paddock below and the watching world in awe at what they had just witnessed.

2022: George’s Breakthrough

George’s first season with the Team had been impressive to say the least. Consistent driving, podiums and a first F1 pole position to boot in Hungary. All that was missing was that first taste of victory. That all changed in São Paulo in 2022. Having cruised to a maiden Sprint race victory the day before, Sunday saw George live out his childhood dream of crossing the line first in a F1 Grand Prix.

The emotions at the end in parc fermé were special. Surrounded by people who had watched him develop ever since joining our Junior Programme in 2017, George was now the first race winner to have through our development programme. And could not hold back the tears. Scenes to savour. Scenes we will never forget.

How Well Do You Know Brasil?

Q: How many times has Lewis Hamilton won in Brasil?

We have fond memories from Brasil, especially the past two visits with Lewis' spectacular win in 2021 and George's first victory in 2022. The fans are super passionate about F1, and we always get such an enthusiastic reception.

Hear more from Toto and the Team about the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix.

2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Preview