Cadillac Dominates Qualifying at 6 Hours of São Paulo Despite Penalty

In a thrilling showcase of speed and strategy, Alex Lynn secured pole position for the second consecutive race in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the qualifying session for the 6 Hours of São Paulo, held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace on July 13, 2025. Lynn's impressive lap time of 1:22.570 not only highlighted his driving prowess but also underscored Cadillac's competitive edge in the Hypercar category. However, a post-session penalty imposed on his teammate, Sébastien Bourdais, for impeding another competitor during the qualifying rounds reshuffled the initial standings, affecting the anticipated front row lockout for the Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA.

The qualifying session began with high expectations as Cadillac aimed for a dominant performance. Lynn delivered a stellar performance in the 10-minute Hyperpole session, setting the fastest time in both qualifying segments. His efforts were complemented by Bourdais, who momentarily secured the second spot on the grid, just 0.100 seconds behind Lynn's time.

However, the dynamics changed dramatically when race stewards penalized Bourdais, relegating him to third position for his role in obstructing Paul di Resta of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies. This decision promoted Julien Andlauer of Porsche Penske Motorsport to the front row alongside Lynn, marking a significant moment in the race's lead-up. "It feels great to be on pole again. It's a special feeling to drive the Cadillac on one lap," Lynn remarked after the session. He expressed enthusiasm for the challenging São Paulo track and confidence in his team's preparations.

The revised top five was rounded out by René Rast of BMW M Team WRT and the second Peugeot entry, with the AF Corse-run Ferrari achieving a respectable ninth place. The crowd also witnessed a local favorite, Eduardo "Dudu" Barrichello, claim pole position in the LMGT3 category, further energizing the Brazilian audience. Barrichello, son of former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello, showcased his talent with a time of 1:33.849, solidifying his growing reputation on the international stage.

As the countdown to the race begins, the implications of the qualifying results and penalties will undoubtedly influence the strategies teams employ during the six-hour endurance race. The race is set to commence at 11:30 local time, promising an exciting display of endurance racing as teams battle not only for victory but also for championship points in the highly competitive WEC circuit.