Porsche Gears Up for FIA WEC 6 Hours of São Paulo, Aims for Victory

Porsche's factory team is gearing up for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in São Paulo, Brazil, from July 11-13. Building on a strong performance in 2024 where both Porsche 963s secured podium finishes, the team aims to leverage its strengths and secure its first WEC victory of the season. Manthey 1st Phorm, leading the LMGT3 class, also looks to continue its winning momentum after a recent triumph at Le Mans.

Porsche Penske Motorsport Returns to Interlagos

Porsche Penske Motorsport returns to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, a circuit with rich Formula 1 history. In 2024, the team secured second and third place finishes, solidifying its championship position. This year, Porsche is third in the overall standings. The No. 5 car features Julien Andlauer and Michael Christensen, while the No. 6 sister car is driven by reigning World Endurance champions Kévin Estre and Laureins Vanthoor. Customer team Proton Competition will also field a Porsche 963 in the Hypercar class.

• Key Takeaways:Porsche aims for a strong performance after a challenging start to the WEC season.The Porsche 963 has proven to be the fastest LMDh car since its 2023 introduction.The team is focused on securing maximum WEC points to contend for the manufacturers' title.

Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport, expressed optimism, stating, "If we reach our full potential next weekend and execute everything flawlessly, a similar result should be within reach." Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh, added, "We’re eager to finally build on last year’s results... We want to stay on this trajectory and finish on the podium again – ideally, of course, by securing our first WEC victory of the season in São Paulo."

Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport, highlighted the team's motivation after Le Mans, noting, "The manufacturers’ title is within reach, so this is the new target."

LMGT3 Class: Manthey 1st Phorm Leads the Charge

Manthey 1st Phorm arrives in Brazil with significant momentum, having recently won the LMGT3 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with their Porsche 911 GT3 R. The No. 92 entry, driven by Richard Lietz, Ryan Hardwick, and Riccardo Pera, currently leads the drivers' championship. Iron Dames will also compete with an all-female crew in their Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The Interlagos Circuit and Race Conditions

The 6 Hours of São Paulo will be held at the 4.309-kilometer Autódromo José Carlos Pace. This anti-clockwise track has hosted over 40 Formula 1 Grands Prix. The FIA WEC previously raced here between 2012 and 2014, with Porsche securing its first win with the 919 Hybrid in 2014. While Central Europe experiences summer, Brazil is in its "deep" winter, with average high temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius, and a lower chance of rain compared to previous WEC events in September and November.

Driver Perspectives

Drivers shared their anticipation for the race:

• Julien Andlauer (Porsche 963 #5): "I hope we can finally be more competitive in Brazil than we were in the first four races of the season. A podium finish would do us a world of good.

• Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 #6): "At Le Mans, we clearly saw an upward trend compared to the earlier races of the season. We want to build on that trend in Brazil."

• Neel Jani (Porsche 963 #99): "The Interlagos circuit just outside São Paulo is a world apart from Le Mans: it features many tight corners, and the cars often run very close together. Strong traction will be key."

• Célia Martin (Porsche 911 GT3 R #85): "With Porsche and the Manthey team behind us, we're ready to give absolutely everything."

• Riccardo Pera (Porsche 911 GT3 R #92): "If we manage another clean race without any incidents, we can maintain our position at the top of the overall standings."

Porsche Racing Cars and Drivers in São Paulo

Hypercar Class (Porsche 963):

• Porsche Penske Motorsport #5: Julien Andlauer (FRA), Michael Christensen (DNK)

• Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Kévin Estre (FRA), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL)

• Proton Competition #99: Neel Jani (CHE), Nico Pino (CHL), Nico Varrone (ARG)

LMGT3 Class (Porsche 911 GT3 R):

• Iron Dames #85: Rahel Frey (CHE), Michelle Gatting (DNK), Célia Martin (FRA)

• Manthey 1st Phorm #92: Ryan Hardwick (USA), Richard Lietz (AUT), Riccardo Pera (ITA)

Race Schedule (Local Time = CEST -5 hours)

Friday, 11 July:

• 11:00 – 12:30 hrs: Free practice 1

• 15:45 – 17:15 hrs: Free practice 2

Saturday, 12 July:

• 10:10 – 11:10 hrs: Free practice 3

• 14:45 – 14:57 hrs: Qualifying LMGT3

• 15:05 – 15:15 hrs: Hyperpole LMGT3

• 15:25 – 15:37 hrs: Qualifying Hypercar

• 15:45 – 15:55 hrs: Hyperpole Hypercar

Sunday, 13 July:

• 11:30 – 17:30 hrs: Race 6 Hours of São Paulo