Symonds expecting weather will add to the mix in Brazil

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Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds believes the elements may throw a spanner or two into the teams' works in Brazil next weekend.

The 4.3km Autódromo José Carlos Pace is one of the shortest tracks on the F1 calendar but the undulating course provides teams and drivers with a few good challenges, including the weather.

"We are expecting very poor weather in the lead up to the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend with a chance of showers on both Saturday and Sunday," Symonds says.

"We are hoping it will be dry, however we could see a situation similar to 2013 when the first real dry running we had was on race day.

In the past, strategy in Brazil has often been devised around a three-stop plan but Symonds is predicting just two tyre changes in Sunday's race based on non-disruptive weather.

"Interestingly, Pirelli have gone one step harder than last year, as opposed to going a step softer as normally happens, so we have the hard, medium and soft compounds available.

"That's' the first time we’ve had that combination since 2013. Generally, we expect a two-stop race irrespective of tyre choice."

Interlagos' short layout takes nothing away from the intensity of a fast lap. Maximum downforce would be preferred through the tight and twisting section, but in order to maximize the straights, cars need to be trimmed out with as little drag as possible.

"In qualifying the lap time is very low, probably approaching 70 seconds this year, and so this leads to a very close grid where hundredths of a second really count.

"As a circuit it is quite sensitive to mechanical grip, more so even than downforce, although good aerodynamic performance counts in the middle sector.

"Whilst straight-line speed is important for overtaking, the preferred pass into turn one comes largely from getting a good exit from turn twelve."

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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.