The World Endurance Championship returns to Interlagos this weekend for the fifth round of the season, the 6 Hours of São Paulo, with Ferrari looking over its shoulder. The Italian marque arrives as the clear championship leader after sweeping the first half of the year, but the BoP bulletin suggests the pack is being given every opportunity to close the gap. Sunday afternoon, the lights go green for the second half of the WEC season.

Ferrari performance trimmed in Brazil

Ferrari’s dominant run has triggered a sizeable rollback in its performance window. The 499P now matches Toyota for the highest minimum weight on the grid at 1069 kg and carries the lowest base power in the Hypercar class at just 480 kW, which is even 5 kW below Toyota’s figure. A further cut in stint energy, now reduced to 893 MJ, puts the reigning Le Mans winners at a clear disadvantage.

While Ferrari’s top speed numbers have been slightly boosted above 250 km/h, these gains will be of limited use at Interlagos. Only two sections — the long run down to Turn 1 and the straight out of the Senna S — offer real opportunities to use that speed. Interlagos is a circuit that rewards agility, traction, and tyre management, none of which benefit from added weight and reduced power.

Cadillac, on the other hand, looks poised to capitalise. A 15 kW power bump and a weight drop to 1040 kg make the V-Series.R one of the strongest packages on paper. The question remains whether it can control tyre wear across a stint — an issue that was painfully visible at Le Mans.

Porsche also seems well-positioned. A 7 kW increase in power and a 2 kg drop in weight bring the 963 closer to its form at Le Mans, where it ran Ferrari close to the finish. If tyre wear proves manageable, Porsche could again emerge as a serious contender, especially with momentum on its side.

BMW and Alpine have both received extra ballast after strong showings at Spa, but only one of them retains the power to compensate. BMW gains 2 kW alongside a 9 kg weight increase, while Alpine loses 8 kW under the same adjustment. It is a puzzling penalty for a car still searching for a breakthrough.

Peugeot and Aston Martin remain at the BoP floor with 1030 kg and 520 kW. Both had quiet races at Le Mans and seem to be treated with caution under the current system. Toyota, despite gains in base power and post-250 km/h boost, still faces the challenge of being balanced against Ferrari’s early-season pace. The GR010 Hybrid has not shown the one-lap speed of its rivals this year, but it remains a consistent performer. That consistency might pay off in São Paulo.

Local names to watch

Two local heroes with big names in motorsport will contest the 6 Hours.

Augusto Farfus leads the charge in the LMGT3 category, aiming to bounce back from a difficult run in Team WRT’s #31 BMW M4. After a podium in Qatar, the season has fallen apart, but a return to home soil could provide the reset the crew needs. Farfus knows the circuit better than most, and if the updated EVO package finally delivers, WRT might be in the mix come Sunday.

Also on the grid is Eduardo Barrichello, one of the newest names in the WEC paddock. The 23-year-old son of Rubens Barrichello continues to gain ground in the Aston Martin LMGT3. While the Racing Spirit of Léman entry has yet to shine, Interlagos suits the Vantage well. With the home crowd behind him, a standout performance cannot be ruled out.

As the title battle intensifies and with Balance of Performance adjustments playing an ever-greater role, São Paulo could prove to be a decisive point in the season. Ferrari may still lead, but in Brazil, the momentum is shifting and the race is wide open.

Article and photos by Rick Kiewiet.