In less than a week, the World Endurance Championship returns to the historic Interlagos Circuit for the fourth round of the 2026 WEC season. The 6 Hours of São Paulo will take place from July 10 to July 12, serving as the exciting first of two stops in the Americas.
Track History
Found on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, is the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos Circuit. Named after the 1975 F1 Brazillian GP winner, José Carlos Pace, the track was opened in 1940.
Since 1985, Interlagos has been an integral part of international motorsport history. The track first hosted WEC between 2012 and 2014. The 2026 6 Hours of São Paulo will mark the track’s third consecutive year of hosting WEC in the Hypercar era.
Track Guide
Known as the shortest track on the 2026 WEC Calendar, Interlagos measures just 4.309 Km. The 6 Hours of São Paulo is also one of three events of the season that features a circuit that runs in an anti-clockwise direction.
There are a total of 15 turns throughout the circuit, 10 left and 5 right. This asymmetric layout features a dramatic 43-meter elevation change, giving Interlagos Circuit its signature rollercoaster-like transition through the hilly terrain.
A defining characteristic of the Interlagos Circuit is its microclimate. The track’s location, combined with tropical conditions and dramatic elevation changes, results in unpredictable temperature swings and drastic changes in light throughout the 6 Hours.
This volatility is exacerbated by the track’s infamous poor drainage. Heavy rain quickly leads to standing water across the asphalt, presenting drivers with a constant threat of aquaplaning and zero visibility.
These geographical traits of the Interlagos Circuit hence emphasise the importance of tyre strategy and add to the unpredictability of the race.
Point System
In WEC, the point system varies depending on the duration of the race. Being six hours long, points will be awarded as follows:
| 1st: 25 points 2nd: 18 points 3rd: 15 points 4th: 12 points 5th: 10 points | 6th: 8 points 7th: 6 points 8th: 4 points 9th: 2 points 10th: 1 point |
Who Topped the Podium in 2025
The 2025 6 Hours of São Paulo was dominated by Cadillac as the American brand clinched a historic 1-2 finish. Not only was this Cadillac’s first 1-2 result in WEC, but it was also their first overall victory.
The No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team Jota, piloted by Will Stevens, Alex Lynn and Norman Nato, took the chequered flag in P1. Followed close behind was the No.38 Cadillac of Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais, and Jenson Button. The No.5 Porsche Penske Motorsport rounded out the podium in P3.
While in the LMGT3 category, the No.87 Lexus RC F LMGT3 won the class ahead of the No.81 TF Corvette and the No.10 Racing Sprint of Leman Aston Martin, which placed P2 and P3, respectively.
Championship Overview
Ahead of the 6 Hours of São Paulo, Toyota leads the 2026 Hypercar Manufacturers’ Championship with a dominant lead of 132 points. A month earlier at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota clinched its second victory of the season with the No.7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid. It was also the Japanese manufacturer’s second 1-3 finish out of the opening three rounds. They will be one to look out for at the Interlagos Circuit. Toyota proved dominant at the track, prevailing in two out of five of its last visits to the track.
BMW and the reigning champion Ferrari are close behind in the standings. However, Ferrari did struggle with pace during its previous outing at Interlagos last year. Another team to keep an eye on is Cadillac. Despite currently standing fifth in the standings, they have shown strong flashes of pace at every round thus far.
The No.33 TF Sport Corvette currently leads the LMGT3 class after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans a month prior. They sit ahead of the No.21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari and the No.78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus.
Another team to look out for is the No.88 Proton Competition Ford Mustang, which will be looking to redeem itself after a disappointing outing at Le Mans.
The Interlagos Circuit rewards quick adaptability from both teams and drivers. However, it will also mercilessly punish the slightest miscalculations. With the championship race heating up, don’t miss a single second of the action this weekend in São Paulo.