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Toyota will lead the Hypercar narrative into the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo after claiming its sixth outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this month. For a manufacturer seeking to rebound from a difficult 2025, the timing could hardly be more significant.
The Japanese marque has been the strongest historical performer across FIA WEC’s five previous visits to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, winning twice at the Brazilian venue — more than any other manufacturer. That record gives Toyota a clear reference point as the championship returns to Interlagos, but the competitive picture is far from settled.
BMW, fresh from becoming a first-time Hypercar winner at Spa-Francorchamps in May, and reigning title-holder Ferrari are both positioned as immediate threats. Ferrari’s task is sharpened by the memory of last season’s São Paulo round, where the Prancing Horse lacked speed around Interlagos.
Cadillac enters the weekend as the field’s most obvious dark horse. The American manufacturer has shown podium-challenging pace in all three events so far in 2026, yet has still not converted that performance into a rostrum finish. That gap between pace and result is now one of the key storylines heading to Brazil. For readers following Cadillac’s broader racing spotlight, our recent coverage on Cadillac’s Austrian GP brake concerns offers further context from another high-pressure paddock.
There is also strong local memory attached to the name. Just under 12 months ago, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA dominated in Brazil, securing a commanding one-two finish and delivering the Detroit-based brand’s maiden FIA WEC victory. Next weekend, the winning #12 V-Series.R will be shared by Will Stevens and Norman Nato as the pair attempt to reproduce that standout result.
The Hypercar entry list features further adjustments, with Aston Martin’s two Valkyries reduced to two-driver crews. The LMGT3 field also carries several notable changes.
Kobe Pauwels returns to Heart of Racing Team’s #23 Aston Martin Vantage, replacing ‘Dudu’ Barrichello, who is unavailable for his home event due to a clashing IMSA GTD programme commitment, which he currently leads.
Recent Le Mans winner Nicky Catsburg is also absent from the #33 TF Sport Corvette for similar reasons. Nicolás Varrone, who raced for Proton Competition in FIA WEC’s Hypercar division in 2025 and scored points in São Paulo, is set to replace him.
Esteban Masson will retake the wheel of Akkodis ASP Team’s #78 Lexus RC F, arriving after his LMP2 class exploits at Le Mans. Like Cadillac, the French squad returns to Brazil with positive memories, having achieved its breakthrough series victory at Interlagos.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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