FIA WEC 2025: Brazilian Round at Autódromo José Carlos Pace Preview
As the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) continues, teams head to Brazil for the historic race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, celebrating its 85th anniversary. Following an exhilarating Le Mans, the Brazilian leg is set against a backdrop of high expectations, with over 73,000 fans anticipated at the venue.
Circuit Insights
The 4.3 km anti-clockwise circuit has undergone a full resurfacing, raising questions about how the gathered data from previous visits will apply. With varying tyre compounds from Michelin and a new Goodyear Hard compound debuting in LMGT3, teams are keenly focused on tyre wear, a critical factor in performance this weekend.
Championship Landscape
Ferrari enters the round in a dominant position, having achieved four consecutive victories, including a recent triumph at Le Mans with the #83 car. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado lead the drivers’ standings by 16 points over Le Mans winners Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson.
Current Standings:
-
Drivers’ Championship:
- 1st: #51 Ferrari – 105 points
- 2nd: #7 Toyota – 44 points
- 3rd: #50 Ferrari – 48 points
- Manufacturers’ Championship:
- 1st: Ferrari – 172 points
- 2nd: Toyota – 95 points
- 3rd: Porsche – 84 points
Teams outside Ferrari are seeking breakthroughs, particularly Toyota, which has struggled in pace but has previously found success at this circuit.
Key Technical Adjustments
Ferrari acknowledges that the Autódromo may not favor the characteristics of the 499P. Adjustments for this race include an increase in weight and reduced power below 250 kph. Conversely, Toyota’s GR010 will compete with slight modifications but remains hopeful for a strong performance after recent strategic successes.
Porsche’s #6 car narrowly missed victory at Le Mans and aims to capitalize on improved performance this weekend. Both their entries will run with two drivers due to roster adjustments.
Expected Performance Dynamics
The balance of performance (BoP) adjustments for the weekend should favor Cadillac and the JOTA team, who will benefit from reduced weight and increased power. The Cadillac V-Series.R has demonstrated potential but has yet to convert qualifying speed into race results.
Peugeot and Alpine continue to search for the necessary competitiveness, while Aston Martin seeks to build on their recent point-scoring finishes.
The LMGT3 battle also intensifies as Manthey leads the standings after its recent victories. With the introduction of Goodyear’s new Hard tyre, which is designed for higher temperatures, teams must adapt quickly to optimize their race strategies.
Conclusion
As the grid prepares for the race, technological strategies and adaptive challenges remain at the forefront. The Brazilian round of the FIA WEC promises a captivating spectacle with the potential for shifts in championship dynamics as teams adapt to the updated environment. The question remains: can anyone break Ferrari’s streak?
