Franco Colapinto, Williams, Interlagos, 2024

Formula 1 drivers’ criticism of the new track surface laid at Interlagos last year has prompted fresh work ahead of this year’s race.

Max Verstappen said the track was “still very bad” in places after his victory in last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix. During the rain-affected race Verstappen told his team he was wary of driving off-line to cool his tyres because the bumps were so severe.

The track operators ordered more work to improve the surface ahead of F1’s return this weekend. The FIA confirmed fresh asphalt has been laid on the long acceleration zone past the pits stretching from Juncao (turn 12) to the first corner. A new surface has also been laid from the exit of the Senna ‘S’ (turn three) along the back straight to Descida do Lago.

They have also made changes to improve water drainage at the circuit by cutting grooves into sections where water tends to pool. This has been done in the middle of the Senna ‘S’ at turn two, from the pit exit after the following corner to Descida do Lago, on the straight following that corner, on the approach to Juncao and again between grid position 21 and the start/finish line.

Alexander Albon said today he hopes the changes have made an improvement to the track.

“There’s a lot of rivers [in the rain]” he explained. “Last year was very bumpy, it will be interesting to see, with the track resurfacing, how much that’s gone away. And the Tarmac’s a little bit strange.”

In a further change to the track, the hatched area between the right-hand side of the pit exit and the edge of the track has been removed. However the FIA confirmed no alterations have been made to its two DRS zones.

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