São Paulo Street Circuit

The São Paulo Street Circuit is a temporary racing venue in São Paulo, Brazil. This circuit has hosted two major international racing series across different time periods. The track uses the Anhembi Sambadrome, a large cultural and sports complex famous for carnival parades. IndyCar raced here from 2010 to 2013, and Formula E began racing here in 2023. Each series used a different track configuration on the same location.

IndyCar Series Era (2010-2013)

Tony Cotman designed the original IndyCar layout, which measured 4.081 kilometers (2.536 miles) and featured 11 turns. The track began on the concrete surface of the Anhembi Sambadrome, which served as the front straight, then transitioned to asphalt city streets. This circuit became notable for its long straights and heavy braking zones, which created multiple overtaking opportunities. However, drivers noted that some sections were bumpy.

The back straight extended nearly one mile, making it the longest flat-out section on any IndyCar circuit at that time. The pit lane was located after Turn 4, separated from the start/finish line. The track featured several named corners: S do Samba (Turns 1-2), Curva da Base Aérea (Turns 3-4), Curva do Anhembi (Turn 5), Curva 14 Bis (Turn 6), Curva do Pavilhão (Turn 7), Curva Espéria (Turn 8), Curva das Docas (Turn 9), Curva Tietê (Turn 10), and Curva da Vitória (Turn 11), a large right-hand hairpin leading back into the Sambadrome.

The circuit hosted the São Paulo Indy 300, which marked the first IndyCar Series championship race held outside North America and Japan. The grandstands within the Anhembi Sambadrome provided seating for 30,000 spectators. Will Power dominated the early years, winning three consecutive races from 2010 to 2012. James Hinchcliffe won the final IndyCar race in 2013 with a dramatic last-lap, last-corner overtake. The venue also hosted the Campeonato Sudamericano de GT in 2011 and 2013, plus the Mercedes-Benz Grand Challenge in 2013.

The inaugural 2010 race presented challenges. Dust and low grip on the concrete Sambadrome surface forced organizers to postpone qualifying and grind the track surface. Heavy rain postponed the 2011 race to Monday, adding to the circuit's dramatic history.

Formula E Configuration (2023-Present)

Formula E brought racing back to São Paulo in 2023 with a heavily revised circuit. The new layout measures 2.933 kilometers (1.822 miles) with 11 turns. The track direction runs anti-clockwise, reversed from the IndyCar configuration. The circuit focuses more on the Anhembi Sambadrome area compared to the previous layout.

The track features three long straights connected by chicanes, sweeping corners, and tight turns. A lap begins on the long start/finish straight, the same corridor used for carnival processions. A chicane at Turns 1-2 features two 90-degree corners. Turn 3 is a right-hand hairpin that includes the Attack Mode activation zone. A challenging right-left-right chicane at Turns 4-6 follows another straight. Turn 7 is an acute left, followed by a 90-degree left at Turn 8. Turn 9 is a kink before another long straight. Turn 10 requires hard braking for a left-hander, with pit entry on the outside. Turn 11 completes the lap with a final 90-degree left.

A five-year contract signed in 2022 secured Formula E racing through at least 2027. The inaugural São Paulo ePrix in March 2023 produced a record 11 lead changes. The long straights and heavy braking zones create overtaking opportunities at Turn 1, the Turn 4 chicane, and the final sector. Energy management is critical due to the track's demanding layout. The circuit sits near the Santana district, the birthplace of Ayrton Senna.