Porsche returns to Brazil to renew 2024 podiums

WECHyperCar

Jul 10

After clinching second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche Penske Motorsport 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.

📷© Luc Warnotte at Spa. Both Ferrari 499P

Porsche at São Paulo in 2024

In 2024, 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 #5 car, Julien Andlauer joins forces with Michael Christensen. The #6 sister car is shared by reigning World Endurance champions Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor.

📷© Luc Warnotte at 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Both Porsche 963 at Raidillon

“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.”

📷© Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: #6 Porsche 963 ended runner-up. At Qatar 1812 km: #5 Porsche 963 scored 2 points.

Driver comments before the race

📷© Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps. Left: Porsche 963 #5; right: Porsche 963 #6.

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.” Source: Porsche