At Interlagos in 2025, DSC caught up with the engineering team behind the pretty and impressive Sigma P1 prototypes that have become fan favourites in Brazilian endurance racing. Pedro Fetter and Evandro Flesch shared details of their proposed G5 EVO, a prototype of which was on display in the WEC support paddock.
Fast forward 12 months and there was an opportunity to catch up once again with the Sigma P1 guys to see how things had progressed.
There was, though, before we sat down to chat with the Sigma P1 boys, one major disappointment: the Brazilian GT Series Cup that had supported WEC in 2025 was unable to return, and a fleeting chance to see the Sigma P1 cars on track would disappear.
However, the G5 EVO has since passed National Homologation and the lack of a race opportunity on the WEC weekend wouldn’t get in the way of us hearing and seeing how busy they had been since last we met.
A brief chat in the paddock led to a polite request for introductions to a couple of people for advice on moving their concern forward, from their current, principally nationally based efforts, to a medium-term future looking for international opportunities. Those introductions were made, and meetings were had – the first steps to a future road-map. And whilst there was no Sigma P1 in the paddock this time, there was an opportunity to get eyes on their latest project with an evening excursion to a workshop unit close to the circuit.
On a dark back street, quite late in the evening, we were escorted through a steel door into a brightly lit, but tightly packed space. There, in the centre, was not one, but a pair of Sigma P1 G5 EVOs. They were parked in amongst several Mercedes-AMG GT4s, all bearing the scars of recent competition (and all part of the reason that the GT Series Cup could not provide a grid for the WEC support race!)
We’ll run a separate piece outlining the major changes for the cars since last we had spoken to Pedro and Evandro, but for now, suffice it to say that much had changed in a year, and plans both technically for the cars, and for the competition they are set to take part in, had progressed too.
The G5 EVO idea started as a simple redesign to make the “unlimited” Endurance Brasil P1 class racer tamer for a broader gentleman driver market in São Paulo. Soon, though, that notion evolved into a complete redesign of the car and, as we noted in 2025, active plans for a one-make series.
Four new G5 EVO cars were delivered in the first half of 2026, effectively doubling Sigma P1’s fleet of active cars (see below). It was two of these cars that we were viewing. Of the older cars, three have been partially converted to EVO spec, and one continues racing in the P1 class at Endurance Brasil.
The first two cars delivered both won in class on their debut races. The first car won a two-hour race in December, and the second car won in class (P2) at the 1000 Milhas de Interlagos this January, completing over 12 race hours with very few issues. Post-race inspections showed the cars were both in excellent condition.
Visually, the cars are impressive, but it’s drilling into the detail that indicates just what a remarkable prospect these cars are commercially, and what an amazing task has been achieved in just 12 months.
We’ll have a full technical breakdown of the G5 EVO as part three of this short series – but for now consider the following:
The V8 engine is now a Sigma-produced unit, a reworked 6.2 litre normally aspirated V8 based around the Chevrolet LS2, producing c.530 bhp in unrestricted form, c.450 bhp with a race map.
The transmission has been switched from an LMP3-spec Xtrac to a SADEV unit with major cost savings; those are added to by major savings in the gear change actuator department, where an off-the-shelf Megaline unit has been replaced by an in-house designed and built product – the impact? From thousands down to hundreds of dollars, both for purchase and rebuild/repair.
The powertrain costs for the G5 Evo are effectively one third of the company’s previous cars, with purchase cost down by a third despite a full redesign and a brand new interior, headlights, electric air-conditioning, advanced electronics and a lot of safety upgrades.
And whilst the car is already impressing current GT3 and GT4 racers with its costs and performance, the G5 Evos are currently limited to 58% throttle to keep the car at GT3 pace for the Sport Prototipo Cup. All this with purchase and operating costs in Brazil lower than GT4 cars.
‘Off the shelf ’, a G5 EVO will currently cost USD 185 k, complete and ready to race.
André Negrão (formerly of Alpine LMP2 and Hypercar) drove a car for a few laps at an Interlagos ‘taster’ day and was reportedly very impressed. His support could prove to be important; he’s a very influential figure among Brazilian gentleman drivers.
And there’s emerging potential for a further new Sigma P1 variant, with contact from teams in Brasília who are eager to start their own regional cup using a Sigma P1 chassis, but with a milder four-cylinder turbo engine (c.300 HP). If that interest persists, the ‘new’ car could emerge very quickly.
Part 2 will cover some outstanding progress made since we visited the Workshop, while Part 3 unpacks the technical specification of this Brazilian ‘National Hero’.
Sigma P1’s current G5 and G5 EVO roster of active cars
Chassis #G5-1
The very first chassis was built for Sigma P1’s first and most important angel investor, Jindra Kraucher.
The car has a very long and successful career and has raced in many forms and with various engines and transmissions.
Today it runs in the P2 class in the Gaúcho de Endurance, our regional championship, and is currently receiving a brand new 430hp 2.3LFord EcoBoost engine. It is currently the only 4-cylinder turbo Sigma.
Chassis #G5-4
Also owned by Jindra Kraucher, this chassis was our first car made as a G5 chassis, with the carbon front crashbox (previous cars were retrofitted).
This chassis was vice-champion by half a point in the 2023 Império Endurance Brasil.
Currently racing in the P2 class in the Gaúcho de Endurance, the car runs an Audace Tech (Stock Car Brazil) 6.8 L Chevrolet V8.
Chassis #G5-5
Sigma P1’s second client was the 2021 Brazilian Endurance Champion, Emílio Padron.
It is the only car still running in the Brazilian P1 class. The car has been regularly modified and upgraded, but Emílio is considering retrofitting the car to G5 EVO spec for next season.
Chassis #G5-6
Jindra Kraucher also owns this car and was the last “non-EVO” unit manufactured.
After an incident in the last race of the 2024 season, this car was used for the announcement of the G5 EVO. Although it retains its P1-class V8 engine and XTRAC transmission, it was used as a test bed for several EVO components, including the cooling system, the new interior, the air-conditioning system and the wiring loom.
This was the car shown to the public and potential customers in the support paddock at FIA WEC.
Interlagos 2025. It now runs the P2 class in the Gaúcho de Endurance.
Chassis #: G5-7
The very first full-production G5 EVO car, delivered in November 2025, already with the Sigma P1 V8 engine and the SADEV transmission.
Its first race was a 2H Interlagos night race in December, where it won in the prototype class.
Chassis #G5-8
The second full production G5 EVO car was delivered in January 2026 to race the legendary 1000 Milhas de Interlagos in São Paulo with the experienced “all Bronze” Soares family.
The car crashed in the first hour of the race as the rain fell on a dark track.
The team, though, was able to put the car back in the race almost 50 laps behind the P2 class leaders.
The 2026 race was especially hard, with many crashes, engine blowouts, and retirements.
Keeping a good pace, and with other class competitors facing electrical issues in the early morning, the car retook the class lead after 9 hours and took the class win!
Chassis #G5-9
Urubatan Helou purchased this car to race in the Sport Prototipo Cup with his son Christian Helou, who just recently left Brazilian Formula 4. Although the car had a few hiccups in its first race weekend, Christian won his second race in the series.
Chassis #G5-10
The latest G5 EVO was delivered to long-time endurance racers Amaury Biem and Ciro Paciello. They shared this first car but are considering buying another for each of them to have his own Sigma. This is the 10th chassis overall.
