The Brazilian Grand Prix

Episode 31: The Brazilian Grand Prix - Drama is Only Seconds Away

"I only came back to reality when I saw the checkered flag. That's when I felt immense pleasure in being alive, in being at Interlagos, in my homeland, and seeing my people happy." - Ayrton Senna, speaking about his 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix win.

There is no race on the Formula 1 calendar that disappoints as rarely as Brazil. The Interlagos circuit has played host to some of the most astonishing moments in the sports history - chaos in 2003, Hamilton’s charge in 2021, a three way title showdown in 2007, and of course, Ayrton Senna finally winning his home Grand Prix stuck in sixth gear in 1991.

Surely though, its most extraordinary moment came in November 2008, the final race of a controversy filled season, where Felipe Massa drove a perfect 71 laps only to be pipped to the title by Lewis Hamilton after he had crossed the line to win.

It's a season whose legacy endures - as Massa now tries to undo what he perceives as the injustice of Crashgate, we discuss this race, the merits of his claims and why they are most likely doomed to failure, alongside many other stories from this legendary race and the history of motorsport in Brazil.

> Content note: This episode contains brief factual references to fatal motorsport accidents.