Interlagos (Autódromo José Carlos Pace)

The Interlagos Circuit, officially known as Autódromo José Carlos Pace, is one of the most iconic and challenging racetracks on any motorsport calendar. Located in São Paulo, Brazil, the circuit is named after Brazilian driver José Carlos Pace, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in 1977. Originally built in 1940 and heavily modified over the years, Interlagos combines a unique blend of high-speed straights, tricky elevation changes, and demanding technical sections, making it a favourite among drivers and fans alike.

The track itself is 4.309 km (2.677 miles) long and consists of 15 turns, many of which are tricky to navigate due to their elevation changes and sharp angles. The anti-clockwise layout adds to the physical demands on drivers, who experience high G-forces while managing the circuit’s varied turns and undulations. Key sections include the famous Senna S, a challenging chicane at the start of the lap named in honour of Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna, and the lengthy Reta Oposta straight, a prime location for overtaking.

Interlagos is particularly known for its unpredictable weather. Rain showers can quickly change track conditions, creating dramatic races with challenging tire strategies. Combined with enthusiastic Brazilian crowds, the electric atmosphere at Interlagos is a hallmark of the World Endurance Championship.

With its rich history and technical challenges, the return of Interlagos Circuit is celebrated as one of WEC’s thrilling races, often delivering memorable and unpredictable races.

2024 Edition

The 2024 6 Hours of São Paulo at Interlagos delivered a memorable race as Toyota Gazoo Racing’s #8 , driven by Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sébastien Buemi, emerged as the fifth different winner in as many races this season. The #8 Toyota dominated, taking Toyota’s second victory of the campaign after inheriting the lead when its sister car, #7, hit technical trouble.

The #7 car, piloted by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck De Vries, initially led the race but fell behind due to a fuel pressure issue, forcing a challenging recovery drive. Kobayashi and De Vries managed to battle back to fourth, despite setbacks and a late-race penalty that shuffled positions.

Championship leader #6 Porsche Penske also faced adversity. Contact with JOTA’s #12 Porsche led to a puncture early in the race, sending it off-sequence. Nevertheless, strong driving from Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor, and Kevin Estre enabled a determined recovery to finish second, extending their lead in the title standings.

Rounding out the podium was the #5 Penske Porsche, driven by Matt Campbell, Fred Makowiecki, and Michael Christensen, despite losing time due to repairs after being rear-ended.

The LMGT3 category was dominated by Pure Rxcing’s Porsche 911 LMGT3, which led for much of the race, while Iron Dames’ pole-sitting Lamborghini suffered a major mechanical issue, dashing hopes for a podium. A chaotic LMGT3 battle saw teams experimenting with tire strategies to manage the heat, adding another layer of complexity to a competitive race.