Magnussen's Dream WEC Debut Victory

Kevin Magnussen has achieved his first victory in the World Endurance Championship, winning the 6 Hours of São Paulo with BMW WRT. The Danish driver, who spent nine full seasons in Formula 1 competing in 185 grands prix, co-drove to victory alongside Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor.

From F1 to WEC Success

This victory marks Magnussen's first win after 1½ WEC seasons and his first win in any racing category since the Detroit IMSA race in 2021. Perhaps most remarkably, it came at Interlagos – the same venue where he took a popular F1 pole position in 2022.

"The strategy was perfect, the pit stops too – everything just worked," Magnussen said in BMW's post-race news release. "My two teammates did an excellent job. That's why I'm overjoyed to have finally achieved this victory. It took a long time, but now, we've finally done it."

Dominant Performance

Magnussen's opening two-hour stint in the lead set up the victory for BMW WRT. Unlike his poor start at Le Mans last month, Magnussen gained spots quickly and early at Interlagos, including a feisty pass on Earl Bamber in the No. 38 Cadillac car.

There was plenty of rubbing and bumping on what was a cold, damp track, but Magnussen pulled off the ultra-aggressive move with aplomb – exactly what you'd expect from his time in F1. He then paired speed with good fuel efficiency to keep the lead on what emerged as the "orthodox" race strategy, while both Cadillacs hit trouble at their first pitstops.

Race Results

Ferrari took second place with its No. 51 car, while Cadillac's No. 12 car placed third, despite showing the race's strongest pace. Even more impressively, Dries Vanthoor overcame sickness in the BMW cockpit to hold on for the win, completing a remarkable team performance.

Magnussen's victory adds to his legacy in endurance racing and proves that his talents translate well beyond Formula 1, continuing the proud tradition of F1 drivers finding success in other racing categories.