Felipe Nasr Sets New Speed Records at Interlagos in Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
On three occasions, Felipe Nasr, a three-time IMSA champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, recorded a lap time of 1:42.1 minutes on the 2.7 mile (4.3 km) Interlagos circuit on 5 February 2025. This new record cut almost eight seconds off the previous best set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2022 (1:49.8 minutes) and surpassed the former outright production-car lap record held by the 911 Turbo S (1:43.087 minutes). The Interlagos district of São Paulo circuit, known for its high-speed and technical sections and significant elevation changes, presents numerous challenges.
"Piloting the Taycan Turbo GT at Interlagos right after my Daytona win was an extraordinary experience," remarked Porsche factory driver Nasr. "I anticipated the rapid acceleration and formidable torque, but the overall performance truly astounded me," he continued. As he approached the 'Curva do Café' before the main straight, Nasr engaged Attack Mode, propelling the car to 169 mph (272 km/h) at the corner's end. Exiting the 'Curva do Sol', he quickly reached speeds over 124 mph (200 km/h) on the back straight. "The car’s acceleration and power delivery are breathtaking," added the Porsche Penske Motorsport team driver. "The Taycan Turbo GT offers precise steering in slow corners and remains stable even during intense braking. It’s a genuine performance powerhouse."
"Our objective was to establish a new record to highlight the capabilities of the new Taycan series just as it launches in the Brazilian market," explained Peter Vogel, CEO of Porsche Brazil. "The exceptional performance of the Taycan Turbo GT is indeed remarkable."
The Autodrome José Carlos Pace, the heart of Formula 1 and the FIA Endurance Championship (WEC) in Brazil, is globally recognised for Ayrton Senna’s victorious runs in the early 1990s.
Since May 2024, the Taycan Turbo GT has also showcased its motorsport prowess as a Formula E safety car, taking over from the Taycan Turbo S. Driven by Bruno Correia of Portugal, it ranks as the most potent safety car in any FIA World Championship. Each Formula E race features two Taycan Turbo GT safety cars; one is fitted with the Weissach Package, and the other is not. Equipped with advanced safety features and a sophisticated communication system, they alternate roles as the primary and backup safety cars.
The São Paulo lap record is one of four recent records for the Taycan Turbo GT. Porsche development driver Lars Kern set the previous fastest lap of 2:11.28 minutes at the Shanghai International Circuit in October 2024, an officially recognised record by the circuit.
In spring 2024, Kern visited WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California, setting a record lap of 1:27.87 minutes—the fastest ever by a road-legal electric car. Before this, a pre-production model set a new class record at the Nürburgring with Kern at the helm, completing the Nordschleife in just 7:07.55 minutes, a full 26 seconds quicker than his earlier record in August 2022 in a Taycan Turbo S Sport Sedan with Performance Package.
Porsche has enhanced its lineup of all-electric sports sedans with the Taycan Turbo GT and the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package. These models feature a more robust and efficient pulse inverter with silicon carbide on the rear axle, achieving peak power outputs over 1,100 PS. Attack Mode boosts power by up to 120 kW for up to 10 seconds, optimised for track use and akin to the 99X racing cars in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This boost is visualised by a countdown timer in the dashboard and animated rings on the speedometer.
Through intelligent lightweight construction, including several carbon-fibre components, Porsche has reduced the weight of the Taycan Turbo GT by up to 75 kg compared to the Taycan Turbo S. The Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package, designed specifically for the racetrack, omits the rear bench seat to enhance the power-to-weight ratio.
Both models come standard with Porsche Active Ride suspension with GT-specific tuning, ensuring optimal road contact and balanced wheel load distribution during dynamic driving situations.
