Brazilian GP Flyby

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Want to know what it feels like to drive around the glamorous streets of Monaco or high speed Silverstone in a Formula One car? Well now you can with our flyby track simulations, courtesy of our partner, Allianz.

The short video previews, which go live on the site on the Tuesday prior to every Grand Prix weekend, will guide you around the 18 circuits that feature on this year's calendar. Seen from within the cockpit, the flybys offer an insight into how an F1 driver navigates his way round some of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the world.

The culmination of the 2008 season takes Formula One to Brazil’s Interlagos circuit for the final round on the calendar, the Brazilian Grand Prix. The 71 lap race will be a true test of durability, heightened by the fact that the race is run in an anti-clockwise direction. The 4.3km circuit consists of 15 medium and slow speed corners, ten left and five right, and has a blend of long, fast straights and gradient changes. With such a varied layout, set-up compromises are inevitable, and the challenge lies in achieving optimal aerodynamic efficiency around the lap.

Interlagos is a notoriously bumpy circuit, so not only is it draining on the drivers, but the cars must have a good mechanical balance for driveability. Combined with the bumps, the track is also particularly abrasive, so harder compound tyres must be selected to ensure their survival. Engines are also under pressure in Brazil, with the long straights demanding extensive periods at full throttle and high revs, while the high altitude and thinning air saps approximately 8% of overall power around the lap. Plenty of overtaking opportunities, combined with the area’s unpredictable weather conditions, will only enhance what is due to be a tense season finale in Brazil.