WEC Qualifying Report: Significant Progress and a Potential New Era for Cadillac
São Paulo, Brazil – In a compelling display of speed and strategy, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) witnessed intense qualifying sessions at the Interlagos circuit ahead of tomorrow’s 6-hour race. Cadillac’s Alex Lynn secured pole position in the #12 V-Series.R, marking the team’s second pole of the season. Despite this achievement, Lynn emphasized a collective goal: achieving the team’s inaugural victory in WEC.
“The car was really good over one lap,” Lynn commented. “We want to get a trophy; there’s a good chance if we execute a perfect race.” The team plans to utilize Medium Michelin tires for the race, discarding the Hard compound unless conditions drastically change.
Peugeot’s Malthe Jakobsen impressed on his debut, qualifying the #94 9X8 fourth overall. “I knew we had potential in the car,” Jakobsen stated, highlighting his confidence in the car’s performance for long runs.
Porsche Penske’s Julien Andlauer achieved the best qualifying result for the #5 963, taking the car to the front row. “We’ve improved the car this week and gone in the right direction,” he said, with teammate Michael Christensen acknowledging the synergy between them.
The Heart of Racing team, led by driver Harry Tincknell and their #007 Valkyrie, qualified 13th. “We’ve taken another step,” Tincknell said. However, he noted circuit limitations could challenge their race performance.
In a notable moment during the press conference, Anthony McIntosh of Racing Spirit of Leman admitted his relief at securing a position in Hyperpole, essential for teammate Eduardo Barrichello’s subsequent fast lap that earned the team their first-ever WEC pole.
Lexus driver Finn Gehrsitz expressed optimism regarding their race pace due to the advantages of the new Hard Goodyear tires, qualifying third behind their sister car.
Conversely, championship leader Ryan Hardwick voiced concerns for the #92 Porsche, loaded with 36 kilos of success ballast after their Le Mans victory, impacting their qualifying pace.
Lastly, Aston Martin’s THOR Team faced a €500 fine for failing to declare a test session properly during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, underscoring the regulatory scrutiny teams continue to navigate.
The stage is now set for an exhilarating race as teams refine their strategies and look to outpace the competition in the quest for crucial championship points.
