6 Hours of Sao Paulo – Qualifying: Toyota and Iron Dames keep an eye on the competition

The LMGT3 opened the ball as tradition for the first big highlight of these 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. The first real times of this first part of the qualifications came seven minutes before the end: the BMW No. 31, driven by Darren Leung, had the fastest time.

But absolutely all cars were able to go for the best time and a place in Hyperpole. With the top eight qualifying, there was no room for error.

The top of the leaderboard has constantly changed hands: first the United Autosport McLaren No. 95, then the Pure RX Manthey Porsche No. 92… and finally the Iron Dames, driving a formidable Lamborghini No. 85 on this circuit. Sarah Bovy was then not caught up and was able to easily access the Hyperpole. Unlike the WRT BMW No. 46, which missed the opportunity. No. 31, on the other hand, made it through.

And in Hyperpole, Sarah Bovy clocked a 1:34.413 that has never been beaten. Not even by the Porsche Manthey No. 92, co-leader of the championship! The Iron Dames, after their victory in the ELMS at Imola, are on a good streak by securing their 2nd pole of the year, after Spa in May.

The two McLaren cars from United Autosport will start from the second row, in the order of No. 95 and No. 59. At the beginning of the Hyperpole, the Ferrari No. 54 from Vista AF Corse triggered a red flag: Thomas Flohr made a mistake at turn 4.

Hypercar: Toyota’s comeback

Almost everyone was discovering the layout of Sao Paulo. The Hypercars were going to unleash the horses on this track for the first time. The good surprise came from the BMW No. 20, which managed to rise to Hyperpole during this first part of qualifying.

Porsche showed its teeth: Matt Campbell’s official No. 5 car outpaced the surprising No. 12 from the Jota team, with the very fast Callum Ilott behind the wheel. And Jenson Button, in the other Jota (No. 38), also managed to sneak into the Hyperpole. However, for the French drivers, it was still a disappointment.

The two Alpines will be 11th and 13th, in order No. 36 and No. 35. The first one, with Mick Schumacher, failed to qualify by two tenths behind Porsche No. 6 of Kévin Estre. Peugeot only placed its two cars in 16th (No. 94) and 17th places (No. 93). It is also worth noting that Ferrari No. 83 did not make it through either and will start only 15th this Sunday. Quite a contrast with its fight for victory at Le Mans.

Then came the long-awaited moment of the Hyperpole between two Toyota, two Ferrari, four Porsche, one BMW and Cadillac No. 2.

The rain didn’t threaten the track and everyone was free to attack for several laps. Just before starting his timer, Matt Campbell’s Porsche No. 5 made a mistake at the last corner and Ferrari No. 50 passed by. And Antonio Fuoco, on the straight, didn’t want to let him pass.

After several warm-up laps, the ten qualifiers successively improved their sectors. Kamui Kobayashi, at the wheel of the Toyota No. 7, set the first reference time (1:26.015), three tenths ahead of Sebastien Buemi’s No. 8.

Matt Campbell succeeded in inserting himself between the two Toyotas and the provisional pole position holder kept changing. Kobayashi sealed the deal with a time of 1:23.140. A really quick time that didn’t seem enough yet to fend off any threat.

As Sébastien Buemi, in N°8, got closer by a small tenth to the Japanese. Alex Lynn, 4th in the last minute, chose to stop, certainly judging that he could not do better. And in the end, no one could do better than Toyota: despite their extra weight, the two GR010s will start on the front row.

As surprising as it may seem, this is simply Toyota’s first pole position of the season. Porsche No. 6, whose drivers are leading the championship, secured 5th place. And Ferrari couldn’t do better than 6th and 9th places (No. 50 and No. 51). Jota was also disappointing, as No. 12 and No. 38 will only start from the 4th row.