Pirelli primer: which tyres for the Brazilian GP?

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The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos is steeped in history, the iconic venue often the scene of unexpected outcomes, incredible turnarounds or memorable showdowns and battles.

This year, Pirelli has brought its hardest possible combination of tyres to Sao Paulo, with the white C1, the yellow C2 and the red C3 on offer to teams.

The range will hopefully help drivers fend off degradation and allow them to push. However, one can't dismiss the weather coming into play around Interlagos, whether its blistering warm temperatures - unlikely this year - or torrential rain, currently pouring down at Interlagos.

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"Interlagos is nearly always an exciting grand prix, where there's plenty going on," says Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.

"The compact track means that there's generally quite a lot of overtaking, with drivers also having to go frequently off the racing line. It's corner after corner, which keeps the tyres busy, and it's an old school track with not much run off, so mistakes are generally punished.

"Add in the variable weather and probability of safety cars as well, and this tends to make for an unpredictable weekend.

"You have to be prepared for everything: we don't know for sure yet which conditions we'll be facing, but our choice of the hardest tyres means that the teams will be able to push hard even if they are running – as is likely – a one-stop strategy."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.