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Autódromo Internacional de Brasília

Coordinates: 15°46′34.1″S 47°54′0.3″W / 15.776139°S 47.900083°W / -15.776139; -47.900083
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the former circuit of the same name in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, see Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet.
Autódromo Internacional de Brasília
Full Circuit (1974–2014)
LocationBrasília, Brazil
Coordinates15°46′34.1″S 47°54′0.3″W / 15.776139°S 47.900083°W / -15.776139; -47.900083
OwnerBanco de Brasília (2022–2052)
Terracap (2007–2021)
NZ Empreendimentos (1995–2006)
Broke ground1972
Opened3 February 1974; 51 years ago (1974-02-03)
Re-opened: November 2025; 1 month ago (2025-11) (planned)
Closed2014
ArchitectSamuel Dias
Former namesAutódromo Brasília BRB (2022–2025)
Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet (1996–2014)
Autódromo de Brasília (1974–1996)
Autódromo Emilio Medici (1974)
Major eventsCurrent:
Stock Car Pro Series (1979–1981, 1983–1986, 1988–1992, 1994–2014, 2025)
Future:
NASCAR Brasil Series (2026)
Copa Truck (2026)
Fórmula Truck (2002–2014, 2026)
Former:
Formula One Grande Premio Presidente Emilio Medici (1974, non-championship race)
BPR Global GT Series (1996, non-championship race)
F3 Sudamericana (1988, 1990–1993, 1995–2011, 2013)
Formula 3 Brasil (2014)
GT3 Brasil (2008)
Mil Milhas Brasil (1997)
Principal Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length5.384 km (3.345 mi)
Turns16
Alternative Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length5.321 km (3.306 mi)
Turns14
Race lap record1:55.805 (Brazil Rubens Barrichello, Toyota Corolla Cross, 2025, Stock Car Pro)
Principal Motorcycle Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length5.349 km (3.324 mi)
Turns16
Alternative Motorcycle Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length5.476 km (3.403 mi)
Turns14
External Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.828 km (1.757 mi)
Turns7
External Motorcycle Circuit (2025)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.530 km (1.572 mi)
Turns7
Original Full Circuit (1974–2014)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length5.476 km (3.403 mi)
Turns12
Race lap record1:47.696 (Brazil Clemente de Faria Jr., Dallara F301, 2007, F3)
Original Outer Circuit (1974–2014)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.919 km (1.814 mi)
Turns5
Race lap record0:52.995 (Brazil Pedro Piquet, Dallara F309, 2014, F3)
Aerial view, 2022

Autódromo Internacional de Brasília is a 5.384 km (3.345 mi) racing circuit in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. It is 5.476 km (3.403 mi) in length that hosted a variety of national-level series including Stock Car Brasil, Formula Truck and Formula 3 Brasil. The track was initially opened in 1974, and hosted non-championship rounds for both Formula One and the BPR Global GT Series, and in recent years was scheduled to host both MotoGP and IndyCar, but due to costs and construction delays, neither event went ahead. Previously named Autódromo Emilio Medici and Autódromo de Brasília, the circuit's name was later changed to honor Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet. Following the transfer of ownership from Terracap to Banco de Brasília (BRB), the track is currently named Autódromo Brasília BRB.[1] The track, which has been closed since 2014, is undergoing renovations that started in 2022 and were set to be completed at the end of 2023.[2] After delays, the circuit was opened at the end of 2025, hosting the penultimate round of the 2025 Stock Car Pro Series.[3]

Location

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The circuit is located in Brasília, which is located in the Federal District, in Brazil. It is located across the road from Brasília's Estádio Nacional, which was a venue of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium. Both venues are part of the Ayrton Senna Sports Complex.

History

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Early history

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The circuit opened in 1974, named Autódromo Emilio Medici after the country's president at the time, and was built to provide a permanent home for motor racing in the relatively new city of Brasília. Prior to this, races had been held on temporary street circuits in the city, although it was determined that a permanent circuit would be necessary to attract major events such as Formula One. Construction had begun in 1972 and took two years to complete, with the circuit being designed by engineer Samuel Dias.

To celebrate the circuit's opening, a non-championship Formula One race, the Grande Premio Presidente Emilio Medici, was held on 3 February 1974, one week after the official Brazilian Grand Prix. Around 85,000 spectators attended the event, which was competed between just 12 cars, with local driver Emerson Fittipaldi claiming victory.[4] Following Emilio Medici's succession in the 1974 presidential election, the circuit was renamed to Autódromo de Brasília and continued to host a variety of national-level series for the following two decades.

Nelson Piquet ownership (1995–2006)

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From 1995, the circuit was leased to NZ Empreendimentos, owned by Nelson Piquet, by the Government of the Federal District.[5][6] Following this. the circuit underwent refurbishment, involving the installation of gravel traps, tyre barriers and lighting in order to bring the venue up to modern safety standards and allow it host international events again. In 1996, the circuit hosted a non-championship promotional race of the BPR Global GT Series. The event, held on 16 December 1996, was called the 2 Hours of Brasília and was won by the BMW Motorsport entry consisting of Nelson Piquet and Johnny Cecotto. The event had been run in tandem with another promotional race held in Brazil, the 2 Hours Curitiba, which was held the weekend before the race in Brasília. The following year the BPR Global GT Series became the FIA GT Championship, and the Brazilian races ultimately proved to be a one-off. There was discussion in 1997 about the possibility of Formula 1 returning to the circuit, with a proposal initiated by Nelson Piquet to move the Brazilian Grand Prix from Interlagos to Brasília from 1999 onwards, but this proposal was short-lived.[7] In 2006, the Federal District regained management of the circuit due to NZ Empreendimentos' lack of attention to the track's management.[8][9][10]

Refurbishment attempts (2006–2021)

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On 19 August 2013 it was announced that the circuit would host a round of the MotoGP World Championship from the 2014 season onward, with the inaugural event scheduled for 28 September.[11] In preparation for the series' return, major upgrades were planned for the circuit's facilities and the circuit itself was to receive a substantial reconfiguration in order to make it safer and suitable for hosting international events.[12] However, the event organizers were unable to secure funding to the complete the work in time and the event was removed from the final calendar on 24 February 2014.[13]

Another major announcement came on 18 September 2014, when it was confirmed that the circuit would host the opening round of the 2015 Indycar Series on March 8. Work to upgrade the circuit was resumed, using a combination of private funds and backing from the Government of the Federal District. The proposed circuit reconfiguration was less ambitious than that proposed for the MotoGP return, with the general layout retained and work mostly consisting of reprofiling corners, adding chicanes and relocating the pit lane. In January 2015 it was decided that, due to a lack of funding, the changes would be scaled back, with the pit lane remaining in its existing location, and just four corners being modified. However, on 29 January 2015, it was announced that the race had been cancelled as the newly elected district government deemed the event to be a waste of public funds, in the midst of a growing financial crisis for the district. This came as a shock, even to the event promoters, as more than two-thirds of the tickets had already been sold and a title sponsor had been acquired just one day prior to the cancellation.[14] Following the announcement, construction work was halted with the circuit left in its half-finished state.[15] The district governor initially committed to having the work complete by 26 April, so the circuit could host its scheduled round of the Stock Car Brasil series,[16] however the event has now been rescheduled to September due to delays with construction works.[17]

BRB ownership (2022–present)

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After the lack of progress with construction and restructuring, on 13 May 2022, Banco de Brasília (BRB) signed an agreement with the Government of the Federal District, that transferred ownership of the circuit and its facilities from previous owners Terracap.[1][18] The deal also entails a R$60 million investment for the circuit's refurbishment.[19] Following the announcement, the track was announced to host rounds of the Stock Car Brasil,[20] Stock Series, and F4 Brazil[21] championships. The refurbishment process suffered from delays, and only began properly renovating the circuit and it's facilities in 2025, along with slight changes in the track's design.[22]

Lap records

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As of November 2025, the fastest official lap records at the Autódromo Internacional de Brasília are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Alternative Circuit: 5.321 km (2025)
Stock Car Pro 1:55.805[23] Rubens Barrichello Toyota Corolla Cross 2025 Brasília Stock Car Pro round
Stock Light 2:03.236[24] Léo Reis Chevrolet Cruze JL-G12 2025 Brasília Stock Light round
LMP3 1:44.450[25] Gaetano di Mauro Ligier JS P320 2025 Brasília Endurance Brasil round
GT3 1:51.323[25] Ricardo Maurício Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
GT4 2:02.601

[25]

André Negrão BMW M4 GT4
Full Circuit: 5.476 km (1974–2014)
Formula Three 1:47.696[26] Clemente de Faria Jr. Dallara F301 2007 Brasília F3 Sudamericana round
Formula One 1:51.620 Emerson Fittipaldi McLaren M23 1974 Grande Premio Presidente Emilio Medici
GT1 1:52.620[27] Johnny Cecotto McLaren F1 GTR 1997 Mil Milhas Brasil
Formula Renault 2.0 1:56.286[28] Anderson Faria Tatuus FR2000 2005 Brasília Formula Renault 2.0 Brazil round
GT3 1:58.156[29] Xandy Negrão (pt)[30] Ford GT GT3 2008 Brasília GT3 Brasil round
Outer Circuit: 2.919 km (1974–2014)
Formula Three 0:52.995[31] Pedro Piquet Dallara F309 2014 Brasília F3 Brasil round
Stock Car Brasil 0:57.893[32] Popó Bueno (pt) Peugeot 408 Stock Car 2013 2nd Brasília Stock Car Brasil round
Truck racing 1:11.963[33] Roberval Andrade Scania Truck 2010 Brasília Fórmula Truck round

Events

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Current
Future
Former

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b grandepremio (13 May 2022). "Banco BRB acerta com Distrito Federal e assume Autódromo de Brasília por 30 anos". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  2. ^ Marson, Leonardo (1 July 2022). "Autódromo de Brasília lança Instagram para acompanhamento das obras na pista". Racing Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ Machado, Felipe (9 October 2025). "Corrida de reabertura do Autódromo de Brasília terá entrada gratuita". www.metropoles.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  4. ^ http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/65180.html ESPN - Bernie's busman's holiday to Brasilia - Laurence Edmondson - November 25, 2011
  5. ^ "Autódromo de Brasília" (in Portuguese). Race Controle, official sporting organization of Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet (of Brasília). Archived from the original on 2005-02-09. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  6. ^ "Autódromo Internacional de Brasília". ctm2000.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). CTM2000. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
  7. ^ http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns00987.html GrandPrix - Brazilian GP to switch venues? FEBRUARY 24, 1997
  8. ^ "TCDF determina que GDF retome administração do Autódromo" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Equipe SpeedRacing.com.br. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2007-11-14. [dead link]
  9. ^ "RECURSO INTERPOSTO PELA NZ EMPREENDIMENTOS E INVESTIMENTOS LTDA., CONTRA OS TERMOS DO ITEM IV-B DA DECISÃO Nº 763/2006" (in Portuguese). Ministério Público de Contas do Distrito Federal. 2006-06-30. Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  10. ^ "CONCESSÃO DE USO Nº 1/95, DA ÁREA E DAS INSTALAÇÕES DO AUTÓDROMO INTERNACIONAL NELSON PIQUET, PARA A EMPRESA NZ EMPREENDIMENTOS E INVESTIMENTOS LTDA" (in Portuguese). Ministério Público de Contas do Distrito Federal. 2006-11-23. Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  11. ^ http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/MotoGP+returning+to+Brazil+in+2014 MotoGP - MotoGP returning to Brazil in 2014 AutoEvolution - 2014 MotoGP: Brazil to Rejoin MotoGP with Nelson Piquet Brasilia Circuit
  12. ^ "2014 MotoGP: Brazil to Rejoin MotoGP with Nelson Piquet Brasilia Circuit". 20 August 2013.
  13. ^ http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/racing/motogp/2014/february/revised-motogp-calendar-released-brazil-cancelled/#.VSM0GfmUcZ0 BikeSocial - Revised MotoGP calendar released, Brazil cancelled
  14. ^ http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/indycar-brazil-race-canceled-mark-miles-013015 Fox Sports - IndyCar: Mark Miles speaks out on Brazil race cancellation
  15. ^ http://www.racingcircuits.info/south-america/brazil/brasilia.html#.VSMyC_mUcZ0 Racing Circuits Info - Brasilia
  16. ^ http://www.stockcar.com.br/Noticias/2015/02/04/vicar-se-reune-com-governador-do-distrito-federal VICAR SE REÚNE COM GOVERNADOR DO DISTRITO FEDERAL (Portuguese)
  17. ^ http://www.stockcar.com.br/Noticias/2015/03/06/alterada-praca-da-terceira-etapa-da-temporada ALTERADA PRAÇA DA TERCEIRA ETAPA DA TEMPORADA (Portuguese)
  18. ^ Araújo, Aurélio (17 May 2022). "Terracap transfere autódromo de Brasília ao BRB". Jornal de Brasília (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  19. ^ "BRB assume o autódromo e vai investir R$ 60 milhões na reforma". Agita Brasília (in Brazilian Portuguese). 12 May 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Veja calendário 2023 da Stock Car, com 12 etapas". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 12 November 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ André, Felipe (2 February 2023). "Com etapa em Goiânia, Fórmula 4 divulga calendário para 2023". Mais Goiás (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  22. ^ Cavalcante, Fernanda (16 November 2025). "DF voltará a ter a maior pista de automobilismo do país". www.metropoles.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  23. ^ "11ª Etapa Stock Car Pro Series - 30-11-2025 - Brasília - 5.321m - 2a Corrida" (PDF). 30 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  24. ^ "6ª Etapa Stock Light - 30-11-2025 - Brasília - 5.321m - 2a Corrida" (PDF). 30 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  25. ^ a b c "Carlesso/Morgatto largam na pole position em Brasília; Di Mauro/Pavie saem na frente pela disputa do título". Endurance Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  26. ^ "2007 Brasilia Sud-Am F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Mil Milhas Brasileiras 1997". 19 January 1997. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  28. ^ "2005 Brazilian Formula Renault Rounds 3 & 4: Brasilia, 30th May Race 2". 30 May 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Brasil GT3 Brasília 2008". 15 June 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Xandy Negrão - Driver Database". Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  31. ^ "2014 Formula 3 Brasil Brasilia (Race 1)". 3 May 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  32. ^ "2013 Stock Car Pro Series Brasilia 2". 10 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  33. ^ "2010 Fórmula Truck - 10ª Etapa - Brasilia DF - Corrida". 5 December 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
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