Porsche Claims Podium Finish at São Paulo WEC Race

Porsche Claims Strong Results in Thrilling WEC Round, Maintains LMGT3 Lead

Porsche has emerged with a mixed but ultimately positive outcome from the latest World Endurance Championship (WEC) race, securing a best-ever result for the Iron Dames while also extending their championship lead in the LMGT3 class.

Rahel Frey, driving the #85 Porsche 911 GT3 R, expressed a “bittersweet” sentiment following their fourth-place finish.”We were on the podium until just before the chequered flag,” Frey stated,acknowledging the “perfect readiness” by the Manthey team. She highlighted the sheer enjoyment of piloting the race car and the “great duels” experienced by all three drivers. This fourth-place finish marks a significant milestone, representing the Iron Dames’ strongest performance to date in the WEC.

Meanwhile, Riccardo Pear, behind the wheel of the #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R, was understandably pleased with their sixth-place finish, especially considering the significant challenge posed by success ballast. “As of our success ballast, I would never have thought our result today was possible, because the 36 extra kilograms really slowed us down,” Pear explained. “Against this background, sixth place is simply outstanding – especially as our direct rivals didn’t score any points.” This strategic performance was crucial in extending their lead in the overall LMGT3 standings, a testament to consistent execution and capitalizing on rivals’ misfortunes.

Evergreen Insight: This race underscores a fundamental principle in endurance racing: consistency and strategic execution can often outweigh raw pace, especially when navigating penalties like success ballast.While a podium finish is always the ultimate goal, securing valuable championship points through a strong top-six performance, especially when competitors falter, is a hallmark of successful championship campaigns. The dedication of teams like Manthey and the adaptability of drivers in managing car performance under varying conditions are consistently critical factors for long-term success in motorsports.

Race Results Snapshot:

Hypercar Class: Cadillac #12 secured victory,followed by Cadillac #38,and Porsche 963 #5 and #6 in third and fourth respectively.
LMGT3 Class: Lexus #87 took the win, with corvette #81 and Aston Martin #10 completing the podium. The #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R finished in sixth.

What strategic adjustments did Porsche make in response to the early rain during the São Paulo 6 Hours race?

Race recap: São Paulo 6 Hours – A Triumph for Porsche

The Porsche Penske Motorsport team secured a hard-fought podium finish at the São Paulo 6 Hours, the third round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This result marks a important step forward for the team as they continue to develop the Porsche 963 LMDh race car. The race, held on July 13, 2025, at the Interlagos circuit, proved to be a challenging event with unpredictable weather conditions and intense competition.

Key moments from the São Paulo WEC Race

The race saw several pivotal moments that shaped the final results. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights:

Qualifying Struggles: Porsche qualified lower than anticipated, highlighting the ongoing need for optimization in qualifying trim. The team focused on race pace, anticipating a long and strategic battle.

Early Rain & Strategy Calls: A sudden downpour early in the race forced teams to make quick decisions regarding tire strategy.porsche’s strategic calls proved crucial, allowing them to gain positions.

Battles for Position: The #6 Porsche 963, piloted by Kevin Estre, André Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor, engaged in several intense battles with competitors from Toyota and Ferrari throughout the race.

Reliability Concerns: Several cars experienced mechanical issues, impacting the overall race order. Porsche demonstrated strong reliability, allowing them to capitalize on the misfortunes of others.

Final Hour Push: A late-race charge from Vanthoor secured the podium position, showcasing the car’s performance and the driver’s skill.

Porsche 963 Performance Analysis

The Porsche 963 LMDh demonstrated improved performance in São Paulo, particularly in wet conditions. Key observations include:

Aerodynamic Efficiency: The car’s aerodynamic package proved effective in managing the challenging conditions at interlagos.

Hybrid System Integration: The hybrid system continued to be a vital component of the 963’s performance, providing a boost in power and efficiency.

Tire management: Porsche’s tire management strategy was a key factor in their ability to maintain consistent lap times throughout the race.

Driver Feedback: Valuable driver feedback contributed to real-time adjustments and optimized performance during the race.

Driver Reactions & Team Insights

“It was a tough race,but we fought hard and brought the car home on the podium,” said Kevin Estre after the race. “The team did a fantastic job with the strategy, and the car felt good in the wet conditions.”

André Lotterer added, “We still have work to do to challenge for wins consistently, but this podium is a positive step in the right direction. We are learning a lot with every race.”

laurens Vanthoor commented, “The final hour was realy intense. we had to push hard to hold off the competition, and I’m proud of what we achieved as a team.”

WEC Championship Standings update

Following the São Paulo 6 Hours,the WEC championship standings remain competitive. While Porsche didn’t take the win, the podium finish allowed them to gain valuable points and move closer to the championship leaders. The current standings are as follows (as of July 13,2025):

1. Ferrari AF Corse – 75 points
2. Toyota Gazoo racing – 68 points
3. Porsche Penske Motorsport – 60 points

Looking Ahead: Next Steps for Porsche

Porsche penske Motorsport will now focus on analyzing the data from the São Paulo race and implementing improvements to the porsche 963. The team’s next challenge is the [Next Race Location – to be updated], scheduled for [Date – to be updated]. Key areas of focus include:

Qualifying Performance: Improving qualifying pace to secure better starting positions.

Aerodynamic Development: Further refining the aerodynamic package for optimal performance on different circuits.

Hybrid System Optimization: Enhancing the efficiency and power delivery of the hybrid system.

* Race Strategy Refinement: Continuously refining race strategy based on data analysis and real-time feedback.

Porsche’s History in Endurance Racing

Porsche has a rich history in endurance racing, with numerous victories at iconic events like the 24 hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. This legacy of success drives the team’s ambition to compete at the highest level of the WEC. the brand’s commitment to innovation and engineering excellence is evident in the development of the Porsche 963, a cutting-edge LMDh race car designed to challenge for wins in the world’s moast prestigious endurance races.

The Future of LMDh Racing

The LMDh class represents the future of endurance racing, with manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, and Acura competing with innovative hybrid prototypes. this new era of competition promises exciting battles and technological advancements, pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering. The São Paulo WEC race showcased the potential of LMDh technology and the intense competition that lies ahead.