Formula 1: Brazilian Grand Prix to move from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro
By Asher Fair
Beginning in the 2020 Formula 1 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix is set to be held in Rio de Janeiro as opposed to Sao Paulo.
In each of the last 29 Formula 1 seasons going back to 1990 and 36 of the last 46 seasons going back to 1973, the Brazilian Grand Prix has been held at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, also known as Interlagos.
In the 10 of the last 46 seasons during which the Brazilian Grand Prix was not held at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, it was held at Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, also known as Jacarepagua. This circuit was located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before it was demolished in 2016 to make room for the facilities used for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
This year’s Brazilian Grand Prix is once again scheduled to take place at the 15-turn, 2.677-mile (4.308-kilometer) Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace road course in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 17.
More from Formula One
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?
- Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s future
- Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
- Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points
But starting in the 2020 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix is set to be held at a new venue, a purpose-built circuit that has not yet been built and could be named after the late Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. This circuit is set to be built in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro confirmed that a deal has been signed between Rio de Janeiro governor Wilson Witzel and mayor Marcelo Crivella for the construction of this circuit in the western Deodoro district of Rio de Janeiro. The planned completion date of the construction of this circuit is prior to the end of 2019.
Here is what Bolsonaro had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.
"“The management of F1 has decided to maintain a grand prix in Brazil, but Sao Paulo has become impractical because of the event’s public financial support and the debt that exists over there. The new racetrack will be built in six or seven months. The hotel sector will be happy, the state economy as well since it will be six of seven thousands jobs generation. It is good for both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.”"
He also tweeted about it.
Após nossa vitória nas eleições, a Fórmula 1, que iria embora do Brasil, decidiu não só permanecer, mas também construir um novo autódromo no RJ, que terá o nome do ídolo Ayrton Senna. Com isso, milhares de empregos serão criados, beneficiando a economia e a população do estado.
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) May 8, 2019
In English, this tweet translates (roughly) to:
"“After our victory in the elections, Formula 1, which would leave Brazil, decided not only to remain, but also to build a new race track in RJ [Rio de Janeiro], which will have the name of the idol Ayrton Senna. With this, thousands of jobs will be created, benefiting the economy and the population of the state.”"
Next. Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time. dark
Be sure to tune in to ESPN2 at 12:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 17 for what could end up being the final Brazilian Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. This race is the penultimate race on the 21-race 2019 Formula 1 schedule.