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Sao Paulo Friday Notebook

John Dagys’ Friday notebook from Interlagos…

Photo: John Dagys

Photo: John Dagys

***The No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro features a green splitter this weekend as it carries the colors of the Brazilian flag for local driver Lucas di Grassi. There’s also a message on the shark fin of the diesel-powered contender, paying homage to Tom Kristensen’s last race.

***A total of seven titles were wrapped up in Bahrain, including the often-overlooked LMP1 Privateer’s Trophies, which went to Rebellion Racing’s Nick Heidfeld, Nicolas Prost and Mathias Beche.

***In addition to the LMP2 drivers and teams’ championships, two other titles remain up for grabs this weekend. Ferrari holds a 25-point lead over Porsche in the GT Manufacturers’ World Cup, while Toyota has a nearly unstoppable 40-point margin over Audi in the Manufacturers’ World Championship.

***The only way for Audi to overtake Toyota in the Manufacturer’s Championship would be for the R18 e-tron quattros to score a 1-2 finish (or first and third place finishes with a pole), and both Toyota TS040 Hybrids fail to finish.

***The No. 97 Aston Martin Vantage GTE of Darren Turner and Stefan Muecke ran for the first time with fully functional solar panels in Free Practice 1. The GTE-Pro contender received dispensation from the FIA to utilize the system from Hanergy Global Solar.

***This weekend’s Six Hours of Sao Paulo marks the final race with the current pit complex as the Autodromo Carlos Pace will receive a major facelift ahead of the Formula One race here next November. Although not yet officially confirmed, it’s understood a return could be in the cards for 2016.

***With Nico Hulkenberg becoming the latest Formula One driver set to compete in top-level sports car racing, he won’t be the last. At least one additional high profile driver is poised to make the switch to the FIA WEC next year, with an announcement expected next month.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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