Did you know?
The current Podium format was created in the Brazilian GP
... that during the days of the event, 15 megawatts of electricity are produced by generators at Interlagos. That would be enough power to supply a small town of 20.000 inhabitants.
... that in grandstand “G” alone, over 7 tons of meat are consumed. In total, more than 420.000 cans of soft-drinks are drunk and 100.000 snacks served.
... that for every Brazilian Real invested in the Grand Prix, more than treble that value is returned to the city? The race is considered the most profitable event in the country, topping even the Rio Carnival.
... that 7.000 people are directly employed by the event, from sporting marshals to security and cleaning staff? This figure soars to nearly 10.000 if indirect job opportunities are also considered.
... that in 2006 alone, 7.000 underprivileged people benefited from the “Redistribution of Surplus Campaign”? This adds up to a total 27.000 people who have benefited from this initiative, since it began in 1998.
... that the Promoters of the Brazilian Grand Prix were awarded the Trophy for best race of the 2006 Formula 1 season? The Trophy is awarded to the promoter who has proved most helpful, in the most difficult conditions.
...that nearly 80 per cent of the people involved in the Organization of the Grand Prix are women – in an event mostly seen by men?
... that the current Podium format was created in the 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix? In 2001, Brazil innovated again by introducing a samba theme to the Podium celebrations, with a song composed by renowned artist João Parahyba especially for the occasion. The rhythm, known as “Vitória Régia”, has been played yearly since.
...that the Brazilian Grand Prix has been transferred from the beginning to the end of the Formula 1 season, so that the infamous March storms could be avoided?
... that Petrobras supplies Williams yearly with 180.000 litres of fuel, 15 thousand litres of engine oil and 3 thousand litres of transmission oil?
… that the fastest lap ever recorder at Interlagos was by local driver Rubens Barrichello, whose pole position in 2003 was obtained thanks to an astonishing lap time of just 1’10”646. The fastest race lap was recorded by Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya, in 2004, who completed the 4.309 metres of the track in just 1’11”473.
... that the first Formula 1 race in Brazil took place in Interlagos, on 30 March 1972, in a non-Championship race? Four Brazilian drivers took part in this race: Emerson Fittipaldi (Lotus), Wilson Fittipaldi Jnr. (Brabham), José Carlos Pace (Williams) and Luiz Pereira Bueno (March). The Brazilian Grand Prix became part of the FIA Formula One World Championship in the following year, in a race won by Emerson Fittipaldi.
... that 8 out of the 35 Grand Prix held in Brazil were home wins? They were: Emerson Fittipaldi (1973 and 1974), Nelson Piquet (1983 and 1986), Ayrton Senna (1991 and 1993), and José Carlos Pace (1975) and current Ferrari driver Felipe Massa (2006).