F1 drivers to face ‘completely unknown’ factor in Brazilian GP

Pirelli believes F1 drivers will be facing an “unknown challenge” in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after the Interlagos track was resurfaced and water-blasted.

The 4.3km track has undergone a complete resurfacing ahead of the 2024 race, which is also a sprint weekend, but to avoid the side-effects of a brand-new track surface – the oils, or bitumen, it has been water-blasted.

This has increased the abrasiveness of the track surface, with Pirelli set to bring its C3-C4-C5 tyres to act as the hard, medium and soft compounds.

This is a step softer than in the 2023 season when the C2-C3-C4 rubber was brought.

Current weather forecasts are indicating wet weather throughout the weekend, which could replicate conditions at the 2020 Turkish GP. 

Rejoining the calendar due to COVID-19, the Istanbul Park track was resurfaced ahead of the race, but the track could not dry before practice started owing to the fresh tarmac. 

It led to drivers sliding due to a lack of grip, with times some 10-15 seconds slower than expected.