WEC News: Cadillac 1-2 in 6 Hours of Sao Paulo

The No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R driven by Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens took the checkered flag of the Rolex 6 Hours of Sāo Paulo with the sister No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R driven by Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button following in second place for another first in program and WEC history – the first 1-2 by a U.S. manufacturer in the LMP1/Hypercar class.

Despite having to serve a drive-through penalty for a technical infringement, the #12 entry crewed by Stevens, pole-sitter Alex Lynn and Norman Nato ultimately proved to be unbeatable, as the trio fought back from their early delay to assert their supremacy and cement Cadillac’s status as the first American brand to triumph in the series.

Bamber, Jenson Button and Sébastien Bourdais completed a one-two finish for the American manufacturer, after the latter held off a charging Andlauer in the closing stages, with the Porsche-piloting Frenchman and Michael Christensen rounding out the rostrum in third.

“Congratulations to the Cadillac Racing team and the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R on their victory in the Rolex 6 Hours of Sāo Paulo. Every member of the team can be very proud of their efforts on preparing the racecar for success, from both a technology and durability standpoint,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac.

The breakthrough result on the 4.409 km (2.677-mile), 15-turn Autódromo José Carlos Pace – commonly known as Interlagos – s Cadillac Racing’s 32nd victory in the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship since joining prototype competition in 2017. Cadillac Racing has 235 podiums (IMSA/WEC) and 32 poles in that span.

In its third season of WEC Hypercar competition, Cadillac Racing’s previous best result was third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 with Lynn, Bamber and Richard Westbrook sharing the driving duties. JOTA Sport, in its first season as a factory program and celebrating its silver anniversary in motorsports, previously won at Spa-Francorchamps in 2024 with another manufacturer.

It was a dominating performance by the twin hybrid Cadillacs and their respective crews, including Stevens setting the fastest lap of the race (1:24.498) on Lap 3.

Lynn started on pole in the 18-car Hypercar field for the second consecutive race, with the top spot at Circuit de la Sarthe in June another first for Cadillac and the first for a U.S. brand since 1967. Bourdais had qualified second in Hyperpole – only 0.100 of a second arrears – but was docked on spot on the starting grid because of a stewards’ decision for impeding another car in the 12-minute qualifying session.

After relinquishing the point on the first lap, the Nos. 12 and 38 rose to the fore late in the first hour and ran 1-2 for extended periods throughout the race – most importantly at the finish. Following its final pit stop for four tires and energy, the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA traded spots with the front-running sister car when it pitted on Lap 206 with 52 minutes left. The No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R returned to second a lap later when the No. 6 Porsche 963 came down pit lane.

Lexus lights up LMGT3

Much like Cadillac, Lexus has been threatening to steal the show all year, and at Interlagos today, the Japanese marque did just that, with former world champion José María López, Clemens Schmid and Petru Umbrărescu storming to glory in Akkodis ASP Team’s #87 RC F LMGT3.

The #81 TF Sport Corvette ultimately prevailed in a multi-car scrap for second, but the crowd’s biggest cheers were reserved for home hero Eduardo Barrichello. Following up on his pole position on Saturday, the Paulista grittily battled his way past the Iron Dames Porsche almost within sight of the chequered flag to clinch a hugely popular podium finish for Racing Spirit of Léman.

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Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo Results