Dennis steps in to defend Interlagos

"The easiest thing is to be is critical, but I don't think that's the right approach," said the Woking team's top man. "We are involved in a world championship so we have to race in different countries and different continents. This country is still going through a lot of growing pains.

"If we race here we have got to accept that they are going to struggle to meet some of the standards achieved at other circuits, especially those that are government-supported."

Nevertheless, Dennis warned that the tolerance shown for Brazil's shortcomings should not exempt other circuits from the need to improve. However, he suggested that teams should be more sympathetic to the plight of developing countries.

"Silverstone was slated as the 'worst circuit in the world' by Bernie Ecclestone and it is far superior to Sao Paulo," said Dennis. "It is a difficult economic challenge when you host a Grand Prix and I think the teams should live with that to a certain degree."