Mathieu Jaminet Leads Alpine Charge in WEC Free Practice 2 at Interlagos

Mathieu Jaminet steered the No. 35 Alpine A424 to the top of the timesheets during the second Free Practice session for the 6 Hours of São Paulo, marking a significant performance shift for the French manufacturer at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. As the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns to Brazil, the field continues to grapple with the unique demands of the historic Interlagos circuit, a venue known for its technical elevation changes and high-speed cornering requirements.

Session Dynamics and Performance Shifts

The pace in the second practice session underscored the competitive density of the Hypercar class. After a strong opening showing from the Aston Martin Valkyrie in the first session—where Harry Tincknell led the field—the focus shifted as teams refined their setups for the Brazilian heat. Jaminet’s leading lap provided a boost for Alpine, highlighting the progress made between the Friday morning and afternoon sessions.

The Ferrari Challenge and Valkyrie Pace

Ferrari’s factory 499P entries remain central to the weekend’s narrative. Drivers and technical staff have described the weekend as both an opportunity to capitalize on championship points and a "curse" due to the unpredictable weather patterns often seen in São Paulo during the winter months.

Interlagos: A Technical Benchmark

Strategic Stakes for the Weekend

The championship standings remain tight, and with the 6 Hours of São Paulo serving as a vital checkpoint in the season, teams cannot afford setup errors.

The field will return to the track for final preparations before qualifying determines the grid for Sunday’s race. Fans and teams alike are monitoring the meteorological reports, as rain remains a constant threat to the race strategy. The next official checkpoint for the teams is the qualifying session, which will solidify the starting order for the 6 Hours of São Paulo.