What Is 2012 6 Hours of Sao Paulo

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo was a sports car endurance race held on May 13, 2012, at the Interlagos Circuit in Brazil. It was the third round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season and was won by the Audi Sport Team Joest No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro driven by Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer.

Key Facts

Race date: May 13, 2012
Circuit: Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), São Paulo, Brazil
Winning team: Audi Sport Team Joest No. 1
Winning car: Audi R18 e-tron quattro
Distance covered: 237 laps (approx. 1,217 km)

Overview

The 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo was a pivotal round in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, marking the first time the series visited Brazil since 2009. Held on May 13, 2012, the race took place at the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace, commonly known as Interlagos, a 4.307-kilometer circuit renowned for its elevation changes and unpredictable weather.

Attracting top endurance teams and drivers from around the world, the event featured fierce competition across multiple classes, including LMP1, LMP2, GTE Pro, and GTE Am. The race was notable for Audi’s dominant performance, securing a hybrid-powered victory amid challenging track conditions and strategic pit stops.

Event: The 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo was the third round of the 2012 FIA WEC season, following races in Sebring and Belgium.
Duration: The race lasted approximately six hours, with teams completing a total of 237 laps around the Interlagos circuit.
Winning margin: The No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro finished 1 minute and 42 seconds ahead of the second-place Toyota TS030 Hybrid.
Weather: Persistent rain during the race led to multiple safety car periods and challenging driving conditions, especially in the first half.
Attendance: Over 30,000 spectators attended the event, reflecting strong regional interest in endurance motorsport.

How It Works

The 6 Hours of São Paulo followed the standard WEC endurance racing format, where teams fielded two or three drivers sharing one car over a six-hour period. Strategy, fuel efficiency, tire management, and driver consistency were critical to success.

LMP1 Class:LMP1 was the top prototype category, featuring factory-backed entries like Audi and Toyota using hybrid and conventional powertrains.
LMP2 Class:LMP2 cars were smaller prototypes with production-based engines, with teams like Rebellion Racing and G-Drive competing fiercely.
GTE Pro:GTE Pro featured modified production-based sports cars from manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, and BMW, competing in a tightly balanced class.
GTE Am:GTE Am used similar cars to GTE Pro but required at least one amateur-rated driver and stricter technical restrictions.
Pit Stops: Mandatory pit stops occurred every 45–50 minutes, with refueling, tire changes, and driver swaps executed under time pressure.
Scoring: Points were awarded based on finishing position, contributing to both the World Endurance Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five finishing teams in the 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo:

Position	Team	Car	Class	Laps
1st	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	LMP1	237
2nd	Toyota Racing	Toyota TS030 Hybrid	LMP1	236
3rd	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 ultra	LMP1	235
4th	Rebellion Racing	Lola B12/60 - Toyota	LMP2	222
5th	Ferrari AF Corse	Ferrari 458 Italia GT2	GTE Pro	218

The table highlights Audi’s dominance in the LMP1 class, with both factory cars finishing in the top three. Toyota’s strong challenge ended just short due to reliability issues, while privateer teams like Rebellion Racing secured solid finishes in lower categories. The GTE Pro result underscored Ferrari’s competitiveness in production-based racing.

Why It Matters

The 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo had significant implications for the WEC season and the broader landscape of endurance racing. It showcased the growing global reach of the championship and highlighted technological advancements in hybrid racing systems.

Hybrid victory: The Audi R18 e-tron quattro’s win marked the first hybrid-powered victory in WEC history, signaling a shift toward sustainable technology.
Manufacturer rivalry: The close battle between Audi and Toyota intensified the factory competition in the LMP1 class for the remainder of the season.
Global expansion: Hosting the race in Brazil expanded WEC’s footprint into South America, increasing its international appeal.
Driver performance: André Lotterer’s consistent stints under wet conditions were crucial to Audi’s strategic advantage and eventual win.
Technical innovation: The race tested hybrid energy recovery systems under extreme weather, providing valuable data for future development.
Fan engagement: The event boosted motorsport popularity in Brazil, drawing new fans to endurance racing and supporting future WEC visits.

Ultimately, the 2012 6 Hours of São Paulo was more than just a race—it was a milestone in endurance racing history, combining competitive racing, technological progress, and global outreach in a single event.