Ayrton Senna mural by Eduardo Kobra unveiled at Interlagos ahead of Brazilian GP By Luís Henrique Costa
3 min read
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Eduardo Kobra has covered a 2,000-square-metre wall beside the Curva do Laranjinha at the José Carlos Pace Autodrome, better known as Interlagos, with a mural honoring three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna and the city of São Paulo. The painting celebrates both the driver and the metropolis where he was born.
The work, named Nós Somos São Paulo, was unveiled on October 29, 2026, in the south zone of the capital. Senna stands next to a nurse, a civil guard, a street cleaner, a retiree and a student, all real residents, while the wall also shows postcard landmarks such as Avenida Paulista, the Pacaembu stadium and the Sé Cathedral.
Kobra said he admires Senna for the man he was, describing him as “a man of faith, character, ethics and, above all, love for Brazil.” According to the artist, that feeling is what drew him toward Formula 1.
Street workers share the wall with the three-time champion
The panel was positioned to stay in the drivers’ line of sight as they approach the braking zone of the curve, a spot that should make it a highlight of international broadcasts. Kobra said the concept splits the attention the sport receives and gives value to the people of São Paulo. In his words, “the city does not belong only to the great names.”
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The circuit now holds two permanent tributes to Senna. The first, painted in 2020, shows him on the podium after his 1991 victory at Interlagos, while the newer piece brings the driver’s memory into everyday city life.
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Permanent masonry stands bring 7,518 fixed seats to Interlagos
During the same ceremony, the São Paulo City Hall (Prefeitura de São Paulo) presented the completion of infrastructure works at the circuit. Permanent masonry structures in two sectors of the track increased the venue’s capacity to receive spectators, and the city estimated R$ 350.46 million in investments at the autodrome, including works that will be finished after the race.
- Curva do S do Senna: new modules built to seat fans
- Mural dimensions: 225 metres long and 8.17 metres high
- Fixed seats added: 7,518, certified by the São Paulo City Hall
Track activity began with practice on November 6, 2026, and the weekend has no sprint race. Lando Norris, of McLaren, took pole on November 7 in a qualifying session held under rain, with a time of 1:27.470. The main race is scheduled for November 8, 2026, at 14h Brasília time, and TV Globo broadcasts it live on open TV, with sportv 3 also showing it. Brazilians Rafael Camara, of Haas, and Gabriel Bortoleto, of Audi, are on the grid, qualifying 13th and 22nd respectively.
