The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) heads overseas for the first time this season, with the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo taking place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace from 10–12 July.
Round four arrives less than a month after a dramatic 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Toyota secured its sixth outright victory and moved to the top of the Hypercar Manufacturers’ standings. BMW and Ferrari remain firmly in contention, while Cadillac returns to the scene of its breakthrough FIA WEC triumph.
Toyota carries 2026 Le Mans momentum to the 6 Hours of São Paulo
Toyota enters the São Paulo weekend as the championship leader after Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries guided the #7 TR010 Hybrid to victory at Le Mans.
The result completed a strong opening phase of the campaign for the Japanese manufacturer, which also won the season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. Toyota has prevailed in two of the five previous FIA WEC races held at Interlagos, giving it more victories at the Brazilian circuit than any other marque.
BMW represents one of Toyota’s strongest challengers. BMW M Team WRT claimed its first Hypercar victory with a memorable one-two finish at Spa-Francorchamps before the #20 M Hybrid V8 followed Toyota home in second place at Le Mans.
Reigning champion Ferrari also remains part of the leading group, although the Italian manufacturer will aim to produce a stronger showing after struggling to challenge the frontrunners in São Paulo last season.
Cadillac seeks another Interlagos breakthrough
Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA returns to Brazil with particularly positive memories. The Anglo-American operation dominated the 2025 event, recording a commanding one-two finish and delivering Cadillac’s maiden FIA WEC victory.
Will Stevens, Alex Lynn and Norman Nato took the #12 V-Series.R to the top step of the podium on that occasion. This year, however, Stevens and Nato will contest the six-hour race as a two-driver pairing.
The sister #38 Cadillac retains a three-driver line-up comprising Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais and Jack Aitken.
Despite repeatedly demonstrating front-running pace throughout 2026, Cadillac is still searching for its first podium of the campaign. The #12 car finished fourth at Le Mans after remaining involved in the victory battle for much of the race, underlining the threat the American manufacturer could pose at one of its strongest circuits.
Revised line-ups across both categories
The provisional entry list features 35 cars, divided between 17 Hypercars and 18 LMGT3 entries.
Aston Martin has reduced both Valkyrie crews to two drivers for the Brazilian round. Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble will share the #007, while Alex Riberas and Marco Sørensen will pilot the #009.
Several changes also feature in LMGT3. Kobe Pauwels returns to the #23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3 alongside Gray Newell and Jonny Adam. Pauwels replaces Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello, whose IMSA commitments prevent him from competing at his home event.
Recent Le Mans class winner Nicky Catsburg will also miss the race because of an IMSA clash. Nicolás Varrone takes his place in the #33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, joining Ben Keating and Jonny Edgar.
Varrone returns to the LMGT3 field after spending the 2025 season in Hypercar with Proton Competition. The Argentine previously scored points during last year’s visit to São Paulo.
Elsewhere, Esteban Masson rejoins the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus RC F LMGT3 following his LMP2 class success at Le Mans. Lexus arrives at Interlagos as the defending LMGT3 winner after recording its first FIA WEC victory at the circuit in 2025.
Key timings for the 2026 WEC 6 Hours of São Paulo weekend
All times are local Brazilian time.
Friday, 10 July
- Free Practice 1: 11:00–12:30
- Free Practice 2: 15:50–17:20
Saturday, 11 July
- Free Practice 3: 10:10–11:10
- LMGT3 Qualifying: 14:30–14:42
- LMGT3 Hyperpole: 14:50–15:00
- Hypercar Qualifying: 15:10–15:22
- Hypercar Hyperpole: 15:30–15:40
Sunday, 12 July
- Pit walk: 09:00–10:00
- Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo: 11:30–17:30
The Brazilian contest begins the first flyaway phase of the season and could prove decisive as the title fight develops. Toyota arrives with momentum, BMW continues to establish itself as a consistent victory contender, and Ferrari will seek to recover ground following a challenging Le Mans.
Cadillac, however, remains the unpredictable element. With proven pace and an outstanding record at Interlagos, the stage is set for the Detroit manufacturer to challenge for another memorable result in São Paulo.
