Brazilian Grand Prix Preview

As the final race of the 2013 season comes to an end
at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil this weekend, it marks the end
of an era and it could bring a chance for a record to be tied.

For Sebastian Vettel, it is an opportunity to tie a
record that has been around for 60 years is waiting in the wings as the German,
who clinched his fourth world title in India last month, could also tie Alberto
Ascari’s nine consecutive race wins in a season which was set between the 1952
and 1953 seasons.

It is also the end of the era of the V8 engines that
were implemented years ago when the cost of V10’s were too expensive to produce.
The V8’s will head into a different age as the more efficient and smaller
engines will be used with the introduction of the 2.4 liter turbo V-6’s
beginning in 2014. This is the first time that the Turbo age has returned since
the 1980’s, and will be used by engine suppliers Renault, Ferrari and
Mercedes-Benz.

As for the circuit, Interlagos has been used for the
Brazilian Grand Prix most of the time since the race has been in existence,
which began in the early 1970’s. With a few changing trips to Rio before coming
back for the country’s permanent fixture, the circuit is just less than three
miles in length and runs 71 laps for the event. The rains have always been
difficult here as the runoff from the precipitation manages to go onto the track,
causing hydroplaning for the race cars. This problem has recently been solved,
but it still is the idea that every season it will be challenged depending on
the amount of rain that comes down in a very tropical area.

Although the driver and constructor’s championships
have long since been concluded, there still are battles for the second and
third places in the latter as Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both tangle
with each other for the runner up spot. Other positions such as where certain
drivers will be next year are still up for grabs, so with one race left in the
season, there is still much competition and more excitement to follow.

Mark Gero

Mark Gero has written formula one racing stories since 2002 on the Internet for such sites as Motorsport.com, Racing Information Service News and for a brief time at the Munich Eye newspaper in Munich, Germany along with Autoweek online. Mark also has a diploma in journalism from the London School of Journalism in London, England and in addition a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

racingnation.com

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