WEC 2026: Ferrari ready for the 6 Hours of São Paulo
Ferrari arrives at the 2026 6 Hours of São Paulo facing a very different scenario from the one experienced just twelve months ago. After celebrating three consecutive victories at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Maranello manufacturer now heads to Brazil determined to recover from one of its most disappointing weekends in recent seasons.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans proved to be a frustrating event for the Prancing Horse. The No. 50 Ferrari 499P retired from the race, while the No. 51 sister car was never able to establish itself among the leading contenders, spending the race outside the battle for the podium.
As a result, the trip to Interlagos has taken on even greater importance. The Brazilian round represents a crucial opportunity for Ferrari to regain momentum in both the FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ standings before the title battle enters its decisive phase.
Ferrari currently finds itself chasing Toyota and BMW in the championship, trailing the Japanese manufacturer by 70 points and the German marque by 34. At the same time, the Scuderia must also keep a close eye on Cadillac, whose impressive victory and one-two finish in the 2025 edition of the 6 Hours of São Paulo has helped the American manufacturer move to within just 30 points of Ferrari’s third-place position in the standings.
Interlagos has never suited the Ferrari 499P
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace has never been one of the strongest circuits for Ferrari’s Hypercar programme.
During the previous two editions of the 6 Hours of São Paulo, the Ferrari 499P consistently struggled through the slower sections of the Brazilian circuit, where the characteristics of the car have traditionally prevented it from extracting its full potential.
Ferrari’s difficulties were further compounded by the Balance of Performance adjustments applied in previous seasons. Those BoP settings never allowed the Italian manufacturer to arrive at Interlagos with a package capable of consistently challenging for victory.
However, the situation is different in 2026. The FIA and the ACO have decided to stop publishing the Balance of Performance tables during the championship, meaning teams, media and fans no longer know the exact performance parameters assigned to each Hypercar.
That change makes any pre-race analysis considerably more complicated. It is impossible to determine whether Ferrari has received a more favorable Balance of Performance compared with previous editions or whether the 499P will once again face a difficult weekend at a circuit that has historically exposed its weaknesses.
Ferrari drivers eager to respond after Le Mans setback
Despite Ferrari’s recent struggles at Interlagos, the mood inside the team remains focused and determined. The message emerging from every driver is clear: leave the disappointment of Le Mans behind and return immediately to scoring valuable championship points.
Antonio Fuoco spoke openly about his determination to bounce back following the retirement of the No. 50 Ferrari 499P, while Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen acknowledged the challenges the team has traditionally faced at Interlagos but stressed that Ferrari has worked hard to make further progress ahead of this year’s event.
The crew of the No. 51 Ferrari 499P is equally motivated to relaunch its championship campaign. Alessandro Pier Guidi pointed out that Ferrari has yet to secure a podium finish at the Brazilian venue, James Calado emphasized the importance of every single race in a championship consisting of only eight rounds, and Antonio Giovinazzi underlined the need to maximize every aspect of the car’s potential in order to return to scoring major championship points.
Antonello Coletta: “It is time to look ahead”
Ferrari’s Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti, Antonello Coletta, admitted that the team is eager to move on quickly from the disappointment of Le Mans and focus entirely on the challenges awaiting at Interlagos.
“We arrive in Brazil for the fourth round of the championship after a 24 Hours of Le Mans that, unlike previous editions, did not bring us the same level of satisfaction. Now it is time to look ahead and approach the 6 Hours of São Paulo with our usual objective of doing our very best on a demanding circuit that features significant elevation changes and a unique technical layout, where our Ferrari 499Ps have produced mixed results in the past.
“This race has traditionally been supported by passionate Ferrari fans, who always create a unique atmosphere throughout the weekend. Our goal is to score as many championship points as possible to keep our challenge for both the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ World Championships alive.”
Ferdinando Cannizzo: “The championship situation demands consistency”
Ferrari 499P Technical Manager Ferdinando Cannizzo also explained the work carried out by the team following Le Mans, highlighting the specific technical demands presented by the Interlagos circuit.
“We arrive in Brazil having put a difficult Le Mans behind us, but it was also an event that provided many valuable technical lessons and areas where we can continue improving. Interlagos is a highly technical and demanding circuit, characterized by frequent elevation changes and a sequence of corners that requires a car with a wide operating window, strong traction and effective tyre management.
“Historically, this has not been an easy circuit for us, which is why we immediately began reviewing the car’s setup after Le Mans, particularly in light of the latest tyre specifications. Our objective is to be competitive from the very first free practice session and make the most of every minute on track in preparation for qualifying and, above all, the race itself.
“The current championship standings require us to be pragmatic. We cannot afford mistakes, and we must maximize every opportunity available.”
Ferrari cannot afford another difficult weekend
The comments from Ferrari’s drivers and senior management paint the picture of a team that is fully aware of the challenge awaiting at Interlagos. The Brazilian circuit has never been among the strongest venues for the Ferrari 499P, but with both championship battles becoming increasingly competitive, another disappointing result could seriously complicate Ferrari’s title ambitions.
For that reason, Ferrari’s primary objective this weekend will be to return to scoring significant points and remain firmly in contention for both the FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles as the 2026 season enters its crucial second half.
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