After a roller coaster weekend in Japan, including a rare Ferrari engine failure that gifted Fernando Alonso the win, reducing Michael Schumacher to a mathematical chance at the drivers' championship, the teams head to the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil with the constructors' championship firmly in sight.
Interlagos is an interesting circuit, particularly when it rains. Dominated by a long uphill straight, engine power is at a premium, and aerodynamics are usually compromised to ensure sufficient top speed to avoid being overtaken. Too big a compromise results in reduced downforce, however, which is expensive over the rest of the lap.
A bumpy surface will cause headaches for teams as they look to minimise the ride heights without over-stiffening the suspension: finding the right balance is critical to a quick laptime, particularly with downforce compromises in place.