Hidden beneath the modern sprawl of Rio de Janeiro once lay a jewel of South American motorsport — the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, better known as Jacarepaguá. Once the pride of Brazilian racing, this circuit is now completely gone, its memory paved over by Olympic ambitions and urban expansion.
A Track of Champions
Jacarepaguá hosted Formula 1 from 1978 to 1989, alternating with Interlagos in São Paulo. It became a favorite among drivers, known for its smooth, fast layout with wide corners and long straights — a sharp contrast to the bumpy, twisty Interlagos.
Named after three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, the track saw legends like Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, and Nigel Mansell battle under the Brazilian sun.
Why It Disappeared
Despite its status, Jacarepaguá faced mounting challenges:
Financial issues limited upgrades.
F1’s shift to larger, global markets made it less attractive.
In the 2000s, Rio’s bid for the 2016 Olympic Games sealed its fate — the site was chosen for Olympic facilities, and the circuit was demolished.
By the time the Olympics arrived, nothing was left of the old track; the roar of engines was replaced by stadium cheers.
What’s Left Today?
Physically, nothing remains of Jacarepaguá. The entire area has been redeveloped into Olympic Park. But motorsport fans still remember its smooth curves and sunbaked grandstands — and for many, it remains a lost treasure of Brazilian racing history.
A sad irony: today, Brazil’s only F1 race is back at Interlagos, the older, more rugged circuit Jacarepaguá once overshadowed.
