Ricardo Nunes, the Mayor of São Paulo, signs contract at Le Mans to bring back the FIA World Endurance Championship to São Paulo
The Mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes, has signed a contract at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to mark the return of the FIA World Endurance Championship to São Paulo, Brazil, in 2024.
The contract between Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), owner and organizer of the WEC, and the Mayor of São Paulo will see the WEC host a race in the city for a minimum of five editions. The announcement was made at the official 24 Hours of Le Mans press conference, which is celebrating its centenary this weekend (10-11 June).
The possibility of a further five year extension has also been included within the contract and underlines the commitment to the WEC long-term from the City Hall of São Paulo and its Mayor Ricardo Nunes, plus its local promoter Carlos Col.
The 6 Hours of São Paulo will form round five of next year's WEC and is due to take place on 14 July 2024 – the only race in the WEC calendar to take place in South America. The FIA WEC's return to the iconic Interlagos circuit next year will mark ten years since the championship last visited Brazil.
With a minimum of ten manufacturers expected in the WEC's headline Hypercar category from 2024, South America is a key market for many of the brands competing in sportscars. Furthermore, with a rich motorsport heritage coupled with the past success of WEC races in both 2012 and 2014, next year's 6 Hours of São Paulo will be a welcome addition for teams and fans alike.
Tickets for the race will be available from 1 October 2023, with prices starting from 250 Brazilian Real.
A total of five Brazilian drivers are taking part in this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans - round four of the 2023 FIA WEC - including Porsche Penske Motorsport's Felipe Nasr, Action Express Racing's Luis Felipe Derani, JOTA's Pietro Fittipaldi, Alpine Elf Team's André Negrão and Kessel Racing's Daniel Serra.
2024 FIA WEC Calendar
24/25 February 2024 Official Prologue (QAT)
2 March 2024 Qatar 1812Km (QAT)
21 April 2024 6 Hours of Imola (ITA)
11 May 2024 TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL)
15/16 June 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA)
14 July 2024 6 Hours of Sao Paulo (BRA)
September 1, 2024 Lone Star Le Mans (USA)
September 15, 2024 6 Hours of Fuji (JPN)
2 November 2024 8 Hours of Bahrain (BAH)
Follow all the action from this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans via the official FIA WEC app.
BANDSPORTS will be broadcasting parts of the 24 hours of Le Mans live and the full race on their YouTube channel.
Ricardo Nunes, São Paulo city Mayor: "The making of the 6 Hours of São Paulo, with cars and drivers partaking in the most traditional motor racing competition in the world, solidifies this capital as one of the most important poles of motorsport of the globe . The city becomes one of the few to host the three main categories of the FIA World Championships. São Paulo is the best international destination for speed lovers. The FIA WEC is aired in almost 200 countries, presenting to the world the ability São Paulo has for organizing the biggest international events, attracting tourists and investors, besides generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, thus increasing the city economical dynamics through the generation of significant income for Brazil.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship : “We are very excited to confirm that the WEC will return to South America from 2024, to São Paulo which is a city full of passionate motorsport fans. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the City Hall, Ricardo Nunes – the city's mayor, and SP TURIS who – without their support – a return to Interlagos would not have been possible. With a minimum of ten manufacturers competing in the WEC's Hypercar class next year, we can't wait for the Spirit of Le Mans to return to Brazil – bigger and better than before!”
Gustavo Pires, President of SP TURIS : "The city has worked hard on bringing on WEC and this victory has many important meanings, starting with the announcement to be done during the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It demonstrates the return of big events in São Paulo, maintaining the city in the spotlight for motorsport and will certainly contribute to a positive image, associated to one of the most emblematic events on the globe."
Carlos Col, CEO of Mais Esportes Brasil and local promoter : “The return of Brazil to the FIA WEC calendar is a big victory for Brazilian motor racing. But Brasil Esportes is honored to have been chosen for the great responsibility of promoting this event. With the fundamental support of CBA (the Brazilian motorsport federation), the incredible cars that race in the FIA WEC including Le Mans will be seen up-close by the Brazilian public at the iconic Interlagos racetrack.”