Carlos Pace

José Carlos Pace (6 October 1944 - 18 March 1977) was a Brazilian racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1972 to 1977, remembered for winning the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos before his adoring home crowd in São Paulo—a victory that made him a national hero and ensured his legacy would live forever when the circuit was renamed Autódromo José Carlos Pace in his honor following his death just two years later in a light aircraft accident that robbed Brazil of one of its brightest racing talents at age 32, while his friendship with Emerson Fittipaldi and his role in Brazil's 1970s Formula One golden age established him as a beloved figure whose memory endures nearly 50 years after his tragic death.

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Pace came from a cosmopolitan background—his father, who ran a successful textiles business, was Italian, while his mother was Brazilian with Italian heritage, giving José Carlos a European connection that would influence his racing career. He began racing in Brazil in the late 1960s alongside contemporaries Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi, quickly establishing himself as one of Brazil's fastest drivers. Pace traveled to Europe in 1970 to compete in British Formula Three, where he won the prestigious Forward Trust Championship driving a Lotus 59, defeating established British drivers and proving his talent on unfamiliar circuits. His F3 success earned him a Formula One test with Frank Williams, and for 1972, Williams' team—then a small privateer operation running March chassis—signed Pace for his Formula One debut.

He started his F1 career at the 1972 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, beginning a six-season career that would see him compete for Williams (March), Surtees, and Brabham. His early Formula One years with Williams and Surtees (1972-1973) were characterized by occasional points finishes in midfield machinery, with his smooth, consistent driving style earning respect but limited results in uncompetitive cars. A mid-1974 falling out with John Surtees after personality clashes led to Pace's departure, and he joined the works Brabham team alongside Argentine driver Carlos Reutemann, beginning a partnership that would define the remainder of his career. The 1975 season proved to be Pace's championship breakthrough and most successful year.

Driving the Brabham BT44B designed by Gordon Murray and powered by Cosworth DFV engines, Pace won the season-opening Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in São Paulo—his home race before a capacity crowd of passionate Brazilian fans. Starting from the front row, Pace drove a masterful race to claim his maiden and only Formula One victory, a result that sparked wild celebrations throughout Brazil and established him as a national sporting hero alongside Emerson Fittipaldi. The victory was deeply emotional for Pace, who had spent years working toward this moment, and for Brazilian motorsport fans who now had two Formula One race winners to celebrate. Following his Brazilian victory, Pace took his first pole position at the next race in South Africa, demonstrating that his home win was no fluke, and added podium finishes at Monaco (third) and Silverstone (second), establishing himself as a consistent front-runner.

He finished the 1975 season 6th in the championship with 24 points, his career-best result, and appeared poised for future victories with Brabham's improving competitiveness. The 1976 and 1977 seasons saw Pace remain with Brabham alongside new teammate Carlos Reutemann, scoring regular points and occasionally challenging for podiums, though victories eluded him as Ferrari, McLaren, and Tyrrell proved faster. His final Formula One podium came with second place at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and he continued scoring points through early 1977, most recently finishing fifth at the season-opening Argentine Grand Prix. Pace had competed in 73 Formula One Grands Prix, scoring 58 championship points with one victory, one pole position, and six podium finishes—statistics that suggested his career was still developing and that multiple future wins were realistic given Brabham's competitive equipment and Gordon Murray's design brilliance.

Then tragedy struck. On 18 March 1977, just two weeks after fellow Formula One driver Tom Pryce and marshal Frederik Jansen van Vuuren were killed at the South African Grand Prix, Pace was piloting a light aircraft when it crashed near Mairiporã, north of São Paulo. The aircraft, flying in poor weather conditions, crashed into a hillside, killing Pace instantly at age 32. The cause of the accident was never definitively established, though poor visibility and pilot error were suspected.

Brazil mourned the loss of one of its racing heroes—Pace's funeral in São Paulo drew enormous crowds, and the nation grieved alongside the Fittipaldi brothers, who had lost their close friend and racing contemporary. In tribute to Pace's memory and his 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix victory, the Autódromo de Interlagos in São Paulo was officially renamed Autódromo José Carlos Pace, ensuring his legacy would endure every time Formula One returned to Brazil. For over 45 years, the circuit has borne his name, hosting some of Formula One's most dramatic races including Ayrton Senna's emotional 1991 victory, Felipe Massa's 2008 championship heartbreak, and countless other iconic moments—all taking place at the track named for José Carlos Pace.

In an extraordinary and unique tribute arranged in August 2024, Pace's body was transferred from his vandalized mausoleum to the Interlagos circuit, where he was reburied on the grounds of the racetrack that bears his name, making Pace the first deceased Formula One driver ever to be laid to rest at a race circuit—a poignant testament to his enduring connection with Brazilian motorsport and the circuit where he achieved his greatest triumph. José Carlos Pace's legacy transcends his single Formula One victory and modest statistics. He represents Brazilian motorsport's golden era alongside the Fittipaldi brothers, a driver whose talent promised multiple future victories but whose life was cut tragically short, and a national hero whose name lives on every time Formula One visits São Paulo.

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace stands as a permanent monument to his memory, ensuring that future generations will know the name of Brazil's beloved racing son who won his home Grand Prix and captured his nation's heart.