How the Interlagos Corners Got Their Names

3 November 2025

10 Min Read

Since the turn of the Century, few F1 tracks have witnessed as much drama as Interlagos.

From maiden wins, home heartbreak, epic comeback drives, and of course so many nail-biting championship finales, every turn at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace has played its part in leaving those watching trackside and at home glued to the racetrack.

Today, a history lesson, as we take a lap of the track like never before and explain how each turn got its iconic name.

Before we get started, it is worth noting that the circuit name itself ‘Interlagos’ translates as ‘between lakes’ in Portuguese.

This is in reference to the circuits positioning in a neighbourhood of the same name, so-called because of its position between two lakes in São Paulo, Guarapinaga and Billings.

Turns 1 & 2: ‘S’ do Senna (Senna S)

The first turn at Interlagos honours Sao Paulo’s most famous racing son, three-time world champion Ayrton Senna.

The left-right sequence takes drivers down the hill and away from the start/finish straight. Expect an overtake or two here at the end of the DRS zone past the pits. In a wet or dry race, this is where drivers can make their move.

Turn 3: Curva do Sol (Curve of the Sun)

A long, sweeping left-hander, so-called for its immense curvature, brings drivers out onto the Reta Oposta, or opposite straight.

Downpours during the 2003 Grand Prix caused a small river to form on the race line at the Curva do Sol, and the slippery conditions would go on to catch numerous drivers out, including then five-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Drivers need to stay alert to their left as they leave Turn 3, as the pit lane exits sees cars filtering back into the traffic with regularity during the weekend.

Turns 4 & 5: Descida do Lago (Lake’s Descent)

The next two left-handers bring drivers from one of the lowest points on the circuit, which sees a lake situated behind the confines of the track, and back towards the upwards infield section.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton famously duelled here as they battled for race victory in 2021, and this was also where Sebastian Vettel was spun round in the early stages of the 2012 championship decider.

Turns 6 & 7: Ferradura (Horseshoe)

Shaped like the sole of a horse, these two downhill right-handers do not allow drivers a passing opportunity but provide a crucial start to the middle portion of the lap, where cars navigate a twisty, more technical section of Interlagos.

Turn 8: Laranjinha (Little Orange)

Little by name, but this right-hander can have a big impact on lap time and can become incredibly tricky to navigate in damp or wet conditions.

While it may look like a good overtaking spot, getting past the car ahead requires absolute precision – forget orange, you might find yourself causing a yellow or red flag if you do not get the move quite right.

Turn 9: Pinheirinho (Little Pine Tree)

One of the few corners at Interlagos not to feature elevation, and therefore the perfect spot for a little pine tree.

This slower left-hander is all about the exit, with drivers set to head back up the hill once they get the power down.

Turns 10: Bico de Pato (Duck’s Bill)

Another summit corner, Turn 10 takes its name from its shape, as the right-hander resembles that of a duck’s bill.

Like Laranjinha before it, while an overtaking manoeuvre here might look tempting, it may pay to bide your time and wait for what is ahead.

Turn 11: Mergulho (Dive)

What goes up at Interlagos, must come down. Turn 11 sees drivers take a plunge downhill once more.

This is another corner that requires expert precision, and the exit often sees drivers put their foot down at the end of a cool down tour to start a flying lap.

Turn 12: Junção (Junction)

Is that Junção?! Yes, it is. Turn 12 at Interlagos is probably the most critical, as it sets drivers up to power up the start/finish straight – either to get set for a new fast lap, or put the icing on the cake at the end of a quick one.

The 2008 F1 World Championship was decided here, on the very last lap of the very last race, as Lewis squeezed past Timo Glock to snatch the title away from local hero Felipe Massa, who had already crossed the line to win the race.

From the exit of Junção to the entrance to the Senna S at Turn One, drivers will be full throttle.

Turn 13: Café (Coffee)

The penultimate left-hander on the circuit, taken at full speed, is no more than a flick in a modern-day F1 car.

Forget coffee, and caffeine, drivers will be topped up on adrenaline by this point of the lap, with one final long blast up the hill left before the chequered flag.

Turn 14: Subida dos Boxes (Up to the Pits)

Self-explanatory, this one. This uphill left-hander with a gradient of 10% takes drivers from the lower level of Junção towards the lofty heights of the pit straight, and the pit lane entrance.

Turn 15: Arquibancadas (Bleachers)

One final left-handed flick for the drivers to complete before they cross the line at Interlagos, and this turn takes its name from the huge stands full of fans that cheer every single car on every single lap with an unrivalled sense of passion and enthusiasm.

Any driver looking to make a move into Turn 1 should be crawling all over the back of the car in front by this point, although a strong catapult through Arquibancadas could also set you up for a dramatic late lunge into the Senna S.

Official Team Store