Porsche Excels at WEC in Brazil: Podium Finish Highlights Season

In a thrilling display of endurance racing, the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team secured a podium finish at the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) round held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, Brazil, on July 13, 2025. Following a commendable second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this season, the team further solidified its competitive standing with a third-place result in the six-hour race.

The successful race featured drivers Julien Andlauer and Michael Christensen, who achieved their best results of the season. The duo's performance was complemented by strong showings from fellow Porsche drivers Laurens Vanthoor and Kévin Estre, who finished fourth. Notably, Proton Competition, fielding the third Porsche 963 in the race, also marked its best result of the season, finishing within the top ten.

The race commenced with nearly 85,000 spectators in attendance, creating an electric atmosphere. Andlauer, starting from pole position, executed a daring maneuver on the second lap to seize the lead. This initial advantage, however, was challenged as the race progressed, particularly when the Cadillac team took over the lead amid rising competition. According to Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh at Porsche, the team’s strategy and the performance of the Porsche 963 were commendable despite not being able to surpass Cadillac, which demonstrated superior speed.

"Third and fourth place is a very good result for us in terms of the championship. Our Porsche 963 worked perfectly, and the team and drivers did a flawless job over the entire weekend," remarked Kuratle. The event showcased not only the prowess of Porsche's engineering but also the effectiveness of its racing strategies.

The Iron Dames, a customer team racing in the LMGT3 category, made headlines by achieving their best result of the season with a fourth-place finish, narrowly missing a podium spot. Célia Martin, Rahel Frey, and Michelle Gatting exhibited remarkable driving skills, especially during the final laps where they fought fiercely for positions. Their performance underscores the growing influence of women in motorsport, aided by Porsche Motorsport’s commitment to the initiative.

After the race, Richard Lietz, a Porsche factory driver competing with the Manthey 1st Phorm team, expressed satisfaction, stating, "Despite the additional weight from our previous success, sixth place is outstanding, especially since our direct rivals did not score points."

As the WEC season continues, the next race is scheduled for September 7 in Austin, Texas. The results from Brazil not only bolster Porsche's standings but also set the stage for an intense competition in the upcoming races. With the season’s trajectory looking promising, the anticipation builds for Porsche's performance in Austin and beyond.

This race further highlights Porsche's commitment to excellence in motorsport, showcasing both technical advancements in their vehicles and the strategic acumen of their drivers and teams. As they prepare for the next round, the momentum from Brazil could prove pivotal in their quest for the championship title this season.