Five Fast Facts about the Brazilian Gran Prix

Brazil is the third most successful nation in terms of Formula 1 drivers' titles, behind Britain and Germany. Its first champion was Emerson Fittipaldi, who achieved his maiden title in 1972. Just a few months later, in February 1973, the first world championship Brazilian Grand Prix took place in Fittipaldi's home city of Sao Paulo at the Interlagos circuit: the current home of the race. The local hero won the race in his Lotus, and would do so again in 1974 on his way to his second world title – this time driving for McLaren.

There was another home win in the 1975 Brazilian GP, but Fittipaldi had to settle for second this time behind another ‘Paulista' (a native of Sao Paulo). Brabham driver Carlos Pace beat Fittipaldi by five seconds to claim the first and only win of his Formula 1 career, which was tragically cut short by a light aircraft accident two years later. His memory lives on however at the Interlagos circuit, which in 1985 was officially renamed the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in his honour.

In 1978 the Brazilian GP moved to Rio de Janeiro and a newly-constructed circuit in the neighbourhood of Jacarepagua. Rio was the home city of Brazil's next champion, Nelson Piquet, and would host the race uninterrupted from 1981 to 1989, spanning Piquet's three world titles. The local star would win at home in both 1983 and 1986, and the Jacarepagua track was renamed after him in recognition. But it was his rival Alain Prost who actually enjoyed the most success in Rio, winning five times in the space of seven years. Prost went on to add a sixth Brazilian GP win – more than any other driver – in 1990 when the event returned to Interlagos.

The move back to Sao Paulo was inspired by the rise of the city's most famous racing son: Ayrton Senna. The circuit had to be modernised, and central to this was the creation of the Senna ‘S' under the supervision of the driver himself. This downhill left-right linked the pit straight to the Curva do Sol, helping to shorten the track from 7.9 to 4.3 kilometres in length, and has become perhaps the circuit's most spectacular and recognisable feature. After years of trying, Senna finally won his home race for the first time in 1991 – despite getting stuck in sixth gear – and again in 1993.

Interlagos is the name of the neighbourhood where the circuit is situated and literally means ‘between lakes' – a reference to its location between two large reservoirs that were constructed in the early 20th century to supply the sprawling city of Sao Paulo (which today has a population of 12.4 million) with both water and hydroelectric power. The area is also known for changeable weather conditions that can bring heavy rain in an instant – a feature of many classic Interlagos races down the years.