Riding the bumps
Formula 1 travels to Brazil for the final of this year's eventful season. The fun factor for drivers and teams here is not outstanding: Sao Paulo is a sprawling giant of a metropolis with a population of millions, and the Autodromo José Carlos Pace probably has more bumps in the surface than all other Grand Prix circuits put together.

The ING Race Index, which is to Formula 1 what the Dow Jones is to the stock exchange, uses continuously updated information to assess the key factors affecting the race circuits, thus allowing them to be compared. The Brazilian Grand Prix ends up in 11^th position.

ING, with its wealth of statistics for Formula 1, has analysed all 17 race circuits from the following aspects:

• Strain on drivers
• Engineering requirements
• Circuit
• Vehicle setup
• Tradition, fascination and emotion of the race

Ranging from a low of 0 to a maximum of 100 points, the ING Race Index shows you at a glance the challenges that each course presents.

Strain on drivers

It is extremely difficult for drivers to find the braking point as they approach the Senna-S corner at 300 km/h (186 mph). This is due to the fact that descending track makes the turn-in point barely visible. Another important factor is that drivers' neck muscles are not used to negotiating circuits in an anticlockwise direction. In the ING Race Index the course scores 61 points for driver strain and comes in at 11^th position.

Engineering requirements

Interlagos has a full-throttle percentage of 61.1, which is in the lower range, as is the number of gearshifts - only 40 changes per lap are required. This means there is no extreme strain on either engine or gearbox. Even brake wear for this track is on the low side. As a result, the ING Race Index awards 58 points and position 13 for engineering requirements.

Circuit

The Autodromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, situated in the hilly landscape just outside Sao Paulo, is a difficult circuit. This is due to the many bumps in the road and also to the fact that it is one of only two courses in Formula 1 driven anticlockwise. The end of the starting and finishing straight offers a perfect spot for overtaking. The ING Race Index awards 66 points, which means 5^th place.

Vehicle setup

In the middle sector of the Interlagos circuit there is a long sequence of corners. This calls for a lot of downforce, good traction and optimum balance. In the first and third sectors, top speed is critical. And the ascending straight, in particular, calls for a lot of engine power. One major problem for tuning in Interlagos is the track surface, which despite the frequent repairs is still very uneven. The ING Race Index awards this complex equation 56 points and position 5.

Tradition, fascination and emotion of the race

The Brazilians are mad about Formula 1 and worship their drivers like national heroes. Enthusiasm amongst the trackside spectators knows no bound and is matched only by the Tifosi in Italy. In 2006 when Filipe Massa became the first Brazilian to win his home Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna, emotions reached boiling point. The ING Race Index honours the tradition and fascination of this race with 69 points and position 6.

The Brazilian Grand Prix can rest assured of its place in the Formula 1 calendar. This can also be seen in the overall rating for the ING Race Index: 62 points bring 11^th position among the 17 races in the 2007 season.