Ferrari can lay claim to being the hottest team in Formula 1 at the moment, with 112 points over the last three race weekends. That run of form vaulted Ferrari into second in the Constructors’ Championship standings, putting the Scuderia firmly in the title fight as the season winds down.
A little further down the grid another team can lay claim to being on a hot streak: Haas. F1’s lone American team entered the United States Grand Prix three points behind Visa Cash App RB F1 Team in the fight for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, but thanks to two strong weeks for Haas, they now enjoy a ten-point lead over VCARB in that fight.
As the grid heads to Brazil for this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix, the team is hoping to keep that form at a track very “special” to them.
“Interlagos is a very technical and dynamic circuit which has a great flow to it,” said Team Principal Ayao Komatsu in the team’s media preview. “The location has amazing history and atmosphere, and the racing is often great. Of course, being a part of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Interlagos is also special as this is the track where we qualified on pole for the Sprint with Kevin in 2022. We’re looking forward to coming back to Brazil and conclude this triple-header with another strong points finish.”
Nico Hülkenberg highlighted the history and the atmosphere in Brazil in the team’s preview.
“The São Paulo Grand Prix is steeped in history, it’s everywhere, and that’s still very special to experience as a Formula 1 driver. The Senna S down to Turn 4 is phenomenal to drive and the Brazilian carnival environment all weekend, is a highlight at the end of a triple-header. It’s been a run of four consecutive points-scoring races for me with the Sprint, so I’m looking to extend that in Brazil.”
As for Magnussen, who captured the team’s first-ever pole position when he secured pole position for the F1 Sprint Race in 2022, a return to Interlagos brings back a flood of incredible memories.
“Of course I’ve got some good memories from Brazil,” said Magnussen. “The pole position we got there in 2022 is always going to be very clear in my mind and it’s probably the best day at work I’ve had in Formula 1. I love the location and the atmosphere. Every place we go to has a unique feel with the fans, but in Brazil there’s the football stadium nearby and that culture is engrained in them, so when fans go to the Formula 1 race, you feel that atmosphere.
“It’s another level and I love that. I love the associations to Senna all around the circuit and also, it’s a cool track. It’s changed recently with the curbs but it’s one of those old-school, unique tracks we get to race around.”
Haas will hope to add some more special memories at Interlagos this weekend.