The factory team returns to Brazil for round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC (11–13 July) with fond memories: in 2024, both Porsche 963 finished on the podium at the 6 Hours of São Paulo. Manthey 1st Phorm arrives in Brazil leading the LMGT3 class. The team from the Eifel region, located close to the Nürburgring, most recently won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The preview
In 2024, the two Porsche 963 treated more than 70,000 fans with some gripping race action in Brazil. Finishing second and third, Porsche Penske Motorsport solidified its position at the top of the championship leaderboard. This year, Porsche returns to the storied Formula 1 circuit in São Paulo sitting third in the overall standings. In the No. 5 car, France’s Julien Andlauer joins forces with Denmark’s Michael Christensen. The No. 6 sister car is shared by reigning World Endurance champions Kévin Estre (France) and Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium). Customer team Proton Competition also fields a Porsche 963 in the top-tier Hypercar class.
“We’re hoping for a fair and balanced competition over the entire six-hour distance,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “Last year, we secured podium finishes with both cars. If we reach our full potential next weekend and execute everything flawlessly, a similar result should be within reach – that’s what we’re aiming for. It would be fantastic if the championship battle in the second half of the season proves to be as thrilling as it was last year. The teams, drivers, and fans all deserve that.”
“After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there wasn’t much time to catch our breath. Now, the next round of the World Endurance Championship is already upon us,” says Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh, as he looks ahead to the fifth race of the year. “Following a challenging start to the WEC season, we’re eager to finally build on last year’s results. Our team, drivers and cars are all prepared for the challenge. Since the regulations were introduced in 2023, the Porsche 963 has proven itself to be the fastest of all LMDh cars. 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.”
“It was disappointing to leave Le Mans without the win, especially after our team executed a perfect race,” states Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Still, the fact that three of our Porsche 963 finished in the top eight, including second overall, motivates us to take home maximum WEC points from the next four rounds. The manufacturers’ title is within reach, so this is the new target.”
Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell will not compete in Brazil. Instead, the French/Australian duo will shift its focus to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where they currently lead the driver standings after six rounds. Like last year, Brazilian local hero Felipe Nasr will once again be on standby in São Paulo as a reserve driver for the factory team.
In the top Hypercar class, the German customer team Proton Competition runs another Porsche 963. In the No. 99 hybrid prototype, driving duties will be shared between Switzerland’s Neel Jani, Nico Pino from Chile, and Argentinian Nico Varrone.
LMGT3 class: Manthey 1st Phorm aims to defend its points lead in Brazil
Customer squad Manthey 1st Phorm arrives at round five of the FIA WEC with strong momentum, after recently securing the LMGT3 class win at Le Mans with the Porsche 911 GT3 R. In the No. 92 entry, factory driver Richard Lietz (Austria) teams up with American Ryan Hardwick and Italy’s Riccardo Pera. The trio currently leads the drivers’ championship heading into the second half of the season. Iron Dames will once again field a matching Porsche 911 GT3 R with the all-female crew Rahel Frey (Switzerland), Michelle Gatting (Denmark), and Célia Martin (France).
The race
The 6 Hours of São Paulo is contested at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, located on the outskirts of the sprawling metropolis. The 4.309-kilometre circuit has hosted more than 40 Formula 1 Grands Prix since its construction in 1942. The FIA WEC previously held three races at the anti-clockwise track between 2012 and 2014, with Porsche claiming its first win with the legendary 919 Hybrid there in 2014. In 2024, the World Endurance Championship made its long-awaited return to Brazil.
This is the second time the FIA WEC visits São Paulo in the month of July. While Central Europe enjoys the height of summer, Brazil is in “deep” winter. In Interlagos, the average high temperature for the coldest month of the year hovers around 23 degrees Celsius. Statistically, the chance of rain is significantly lower than during the previous events in September and November between 2012 and 2014.
Driver comments before the race
Julien Andlauer (Porsche 963 #5): “I’m already looking forward to returning to Interlagos. It was a fantastic event last year: a superb track and a first-class atmosphere. 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. The track has been resurfaced since last year, which will affect tyre grip and wear – hopefully to our advantage.”
Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 #6): “I had a short break after my stints in the 24-hour races at Le Mans and the Nürburgring, but now it’s finally time to get going again. São Paulo is a circuit steeped in tradition, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. I enjoy the overseas races on the calendar, so I’m really looking forward to this one. 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): “Last year, we experienced very cool temperatures in Brazil. The forecast for the coming weekend promises warmer conditions, which is a good sign. In 2024, we got caught in a few incidents and also experienced some brake issues on our Porsche 963. This time, we’re aiming for a clean run. 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 to setting competitive lap times.”
Célia Martin (Porsche 911 GT3 R #85): “After the intensity and emotion of Le Mans, I feel more motivated than ever heading into the 6 Hours of São Paulo. The hunger is still there, stronger than ever. With Porsche and the Manthey team behind us, we’re ready to give absolutely everything. We’re coming in focused, united, and determined to leave it all on the track.”
Riccardo Pera (Porsche 911 GT3 R #92): “After our class victory at Le Mans, we’re now also leading the championship. The atmosphere and motivation couldn’t be better. I’m really looking forward to Brazil, as it will be my first time racing on that fantastic circuit. We need to continue just as we did last time – 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)
The 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