Opened in May 1940, the original Interlagos was a magnificent facility with a first corner as testing as any in Grand Prix racing. The anticlockwise track followed a tortuous course, winding back on itself in a natural bowl set among the smog-filled suburbs of São Paulo. It was added to the World Championship calendar in 1972 and local hero Emerson Fittipaldi won that year and the next in front of his fervent support. Carlos Pace – after whom the circuit is now named – scored his only GP victory here in 1975. The race moved to Rio de Janeiro during the 1980s and when it returned in 1990, it was held on a reduced but still demanding configuration. The downhill Senna "S" had replaced the first corner, and two more link roads reduced the length from 4.946 to 2.687 miles. This was Ayrton Senna country, and when he spun out of the 1994 race, the disappointed crowd filed home. Rubens Barrichello, who grew up within sight of the circuit, was never able to win his home race but Felipe Massa was successful in 2006 and 2008 – almost snatching an unlikely world title that latter day. In the event, Lewis Hamilton clinched that championship on the last lap. Fernando Alonso (2005, ’06), Kimi Räikkönen (2007), Jenson Button (2009) and Sebastian Vettel (2012) have also clinched the World Championship at Interlagos. With cramped paddock and facilities that would not be acceptable at more recent additions, the anticlockwise direction, extreme weather conditions and bumpy track are a stern test for driver and car alike.
