BMW wins the fourth round of the 2026 FIA WEC in São Paulo

The 2026 season of the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) is currently going like clockwork for BMW. Following their recent victory at Spa-Francorchamps and second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, they have now also won the race at Interlagos (São Paulo, Brazil). Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor celebrated their first-ever WEC victory. Behind the M Hybrid V8, Ferrari put in a strong performance, with the 499P driven by James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi ultimately finishing in second place.

“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone. The car was simply fantastic. Today, the BMW M Hybrid V8 was one of the fastest cars on the track and a pleasure to drive. The strategy was perfect, as were the pit stops – everything just clicked today. My two team-mates did an outstanding job. That’s why I’m over the moon to have finally secured this victory. It’s taken a long time, but we’ve finally done it,” Magnussen said jubilantly at the end.

Cadillac was actually the brand to beat in Brazil. Both V-Series.R cars started from the front row and set the pace early on. But Magnussen in the BMW was quickly able to overtake one of the two American hypercars. The two Cadillacs then suffered a series of minor mishaps throughout the race (problems at pit stops, spins, a penalty for a collision, etc.), causing them to fall slightly behind. This made BMW the clear favourite as the race progressed.

Furthermore, Ferrari was closing in – and a battle for victory ensued, which BMW ultimately won. However, with second place for the 499P driven by James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, the Italians achieved a strong (and also unexpected) result. “We hadn’t expected to finish on the podium this weekend. We can be proud that we managed to do so with a near-perfect race,” said a delighted Calado.

Cadillac in the top four with both cars

As a result, Cadillac could only manage third place (for the V-Series.R driven by Norman Nato and Will Stevens) and fourth (Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais and Jack Aitken). “The first podium of the season and fourth place for the sister car – a good result for the team,” said Nato. “Nevertheless, we’re disappointed, because with both cars we had the car and the pace to secure another one-two finish here. Unfortunately, the time lost during the pit stop and a minor penalty for contact with another car cost us the result we were hoping for. But we’ll keep pushing – and victory will come.”

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The top five was rounded off by the private (yellow) Ferrari fielded by AF Corse, driven by Philip Hanson, Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye. In the LMGT3 class, Peter Dempsey, Charlie Eastwood and Salih Yoluc celebrated victory in the Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R. The next race of the 2026 FIA WEC season is scheduled for 6 September. The venue will be the circuit in Austin, Texas.