Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Laurens Vanthoor recorded the fastest lap in opening WEC Sao Paulo practice.
The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship returned to the iconic Interlagos circuit in Brazil for the much-anticipated fifth round of the season – Sao Paulo 6 Hours – with the first session setting the tone for a fiercely competitive weekend in both the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes.
As the paddock buzzed with anticipation, teams and drivers prepared meticulously for the first opportunity to test their machines on the undulating and technical Brazilian circuit.
While the session was delayed by seventeen minutes due to a temporary loss of timing data in the pit lane, the running was largely uninterrupted save for a brief Full Course Yellow triggered by an incident involving the No. 54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 driven by Francesco Castellacci, which was quickly resolved to allow the field to resume their preparations in earnest.
Laurens Vanthoor piloting the No. 6 Porsche 963 wasted little time in making his intentions clear for the weekend as he proceeded to deliver a blistering lap of 1:25.176, a benchmark that would remain unchallenged throughout the session.
The Belgian driver’s performance was a testament to both his personal skill and the relentless development work undertaken by Porsche Penske Motorsport.
The car’s balance, traction, and outright pace were evident as Vanthoor navigated the circuit’s challenging corners and elevation changes with precision.
Hot on Vanthoor’s heels was the No. 50 Ferrari 499P driven by Antonio Fuoco who finished just 0.084 seconds adrift of the Porsche. The duel between Porsche and Ferrari at the top of the timesheets set the stage for a weekend of close competition with both teams demonstrating the capability to challenge for overall honors.
The Hypercar class was further enlivened by a strong showing from BMW M Team WRT as Rene Rast guided the No. 20 BMW M Hybrid V8 to third fastest in the session.
Mike Conway, a stalwart of Toyota Gazoo Racing, placed the No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid in fourth ensuring that the Japanese squad remained firmly in contention. Raffaele Marciello rounded out the top five for BMW, reinforcing the marque’s growing presence and competitiveness in the Hypercar field.
Beyond the leading quintet, the session saw a tightly packed group of contenders. The pair of Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac V-Series.Rs piloted by Earl Bamber and Will Stevens secured sixth and seventh positions respectively, demonstrating the Cadillac’s consistent pace and reliability.
Robert Kubica driving the No. 83 AF-Corse Ferrari 499P slotted into eighth while the No. 36 Alpine A424 and the No. 94 Peugeot 9X8 completed the top ten.
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In the LMGT3 category, the battle was equally intense as Jose Maria Lopez led a commanding 1-2 for the Akkodis ASP Team, steering the No. 87 Lexus RC F GT3 to a class-leading time of 1:35.010.
Lopez’s performance in opening FIA WEC Sao Paulo practice was characterized by consistency and confidence, as he extracted maximum pace from the Lexus on a track that demands both mechanical grip and aerodynamic efficiency.
His teammate Finn Gehrsitz was a mere 0.124 seconds slower, securing second place and underlining the strength of the Akkodis ASP Team’s preparation and execution.
Daniel Juncadella at the wheel of the No. 33 TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R completed the top three in LMGT3. Juncadella’s effort was a testament to the Corvette’s adaptability and the team’s ability to optimize performance in a highly competitive field.
The 2025 São Paulo 6 Hours promises to deliver drama, excitement, and world-class competition as the FIA World Endurance Championship continues its global odyssey.
As teams and drivers prepare for the challenges to come the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in the story of endurance racing.
