Brazil beckons for Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing can take inspiration from previous successes when the second half of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season begins with the 6 Hours of São Paulo on Sunday (13 July).
The Interlagos circuit has witnessed milestones in the team’s WEC history, from its maiden victory in 2012, to securing the manufacturers’ World Championship for the first time two years later. Last year’s successful title challenge was strengthened by a dominant performance there, with pole position and victory.
A return to the podium is the priority after last month’s Le Mans 24 Hours, which saw Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries classified fifth. After appearing in a special livery inspired by the TS020 which raced at Le Mans in 1998, their No7 GR010 Hybrid will return to its regular matt black design.
Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa had led Le Mans at one point, but finished 15th in their No8 GR010 Hybrid. In that race, Sébastien – who already holds the record for most WEC wins – set another record by becoming the most experienced driver in the series’ history with his 90th start, but he will miss São Paulo due to Formula E commitments, leaving Hartley and Hirakawa to race together in Brazil.
After two pole positions, two wins and three podium finishes in their four visits to São Paulo to date, the team have an opportunity to return to the front of a highly competitive Hypercar field, which features 18 cars from eight manufacturers.
The anti-clockwise 2.7-mile circuit, officially named the Autodromo José Carlos Pace after the São Paulo-born former Le Mans and Formula 1 driver, is the spiritual home of Brazilian motorsports and has held four WEC races since the series returned in 2012.
Track action begins with Friday’s two 90-minute free practice sessions before a final one-hour session on Saturday morning. The starting order will be determined by qualifying and Hyperpole, which begin for Hypercars at 7.25pm BST on Saturday, while the race itself starts at 3.30pm (BST) on Sunday.
Team quotes
Kamui Kobayashi (Team Principal and driver, car No7): “The whole team is looking forward to racing again, especially in Brazil. The support we receive from our colleagues at Toyota do Brasil is fantastic, and the atmosphere at the circuit is really special. We didn’t get the result we wanted in Le Mans, and this makes it almost impossible in the World Championship, but we never give up and we want to fight for victory at every race. We know it will be a challenge because our rivals have shown strong performance so far this season, but we are all working very hard for this.”
Mike Conway (driver, car No7): “It’s good to be back in the car so soon after Le Mans. We’ve had time to rest and regroup so we’re ready to race again. I’m looking forward to racing in Brazil again because it’s a true motorsport country and the fans are just incredible. The circuit itself is special, too, with all that history, so it’s a place I always enjoy visiting. We’ve had strong results there in the past and we’ll be pushing hard to stand on the podium again.”
Nyck de Vries (driver, car No7): “Last year was my first time racing at Interlagos and it was a cool experience. As well as the amazing support from the Brazilian fans, the circuit is very specific with low grip, so it’s a challenge to find the right set-up. It’s also a relatively short lap, so it can be pretty hectic when we’re fighting our way through traffic. It should be an exciting race and I’m looking forward to it.
Brendon Hartley (driver, car No8): “Last year we had a strong race from both cars and that gives us some confidence for the weekend. Interlagos is one of the highlights of our season because we get huge support from Toyota do Brasil, the fans at the circuit are incredible and the atmosphere is really special. Obviously, after Le Mans, we all want a strong result to start the second half of the season with a positive result. We’ll miss Séb, of course, but it’s no problem to take on a six-hour race with two drivers.”
Ryo Hirakawa (driver, car No8): “I really enjoyed my first race in Brazil last year. It was the first victory of the season for the No8 car, and an important result for the World Championship. It’s going to be a challenge to repeat that result this year but the whole team is fighting hard to get us back on the podium again. With only Brendon and me in the No8 car, it means we both get more track time than normal, but we will miss having Séb in our crew. Our team spirit is strong, and we’re all determined to bounce back after Le Mans.”
ENDS
