Ferrari Dominates Qatar 1812 KM as WEC 2025 Season Begins
The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) kicked off in spectacular fashion with the Qatar 1812 KM, a gruelling 10-hour endurance battle setting the stage for the road to Le Mans. This season opener showcased the best of Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, and Lexus, along with a highly competitive grid featuring Cadillac, Toyota, and BMW.
Ferrari’s Dream Start: A 1-2-3 Podium Sweep
Ferrari wasted no time in making their mark, with their Hypercar trio securing a podium lockout—a feat only previously achieved by Porsche in Qatar last year. The #50 Ferrari driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen emerged victorious, despite early setbacks. The #51 Ferrari followed closely behind, with the #83 machine rounding out the top three.
This dominant performance cements Ferrari as the team to beat in the Hypercar class, sending a strong message to rivals like Porsche, Toyota, and McLaren. With a flawless pit strategy and impressive tyre management, Ferrari capitalized on their superior pace to maintain control throughout the race.
Race Highlights: Drama from the Start
From the opening lap, Ferrari’s intentions were clear. The 51 and 50 Ferraris battled aggressively through the first corners, setting the tone for a high-stakes endurance clash. However, the start was not without chaos:
Porsche and Peugeot clashed early on, with debris flying from the left side of a Porsche after contact with a Peugeot.
Lexus made an early charge, with a bold overtake into Turn 12, pushing the car into second place momentarily.
McLaren and Corvette engaged in a fierce LMGT3 battle, with McLaren ultimately gaining the upper hand in the closing stages.
Porsche Struggles While Lexus Impresses
Porsche, despite their strong legacy in endurance racing, faced an uphill battle. An early collision with Peugeot saw bodywork damage affecting aerodynamics, ultimately compromising their race pace. Their Hypercar effort, which dominated in 2024, now faces significant challenges to reclaim supremacy.
Meanwhile, Lexus showcased impressive speed in the Hypercar class, challenging Ferrari at various stages. Jose Maria Lopez’s Lexus machine led the race at one point, proving that their recent investments in endurance racing are paying off. A well-executed pit strategy saw the Lexus maintain a top-five finish, a promising start to their 2025 campaign.
McLaren’s GT3 Battle and BMW’s Near Miss
In LMGT3, McLaren made a strong impression. The orange-and-black McLaren GT3 machines fought fiercely against Corvette and Ferrari throughout the race, making bold overtakes in the closing hours. Despite setbacks, McLaren finished inside the top five of their class, proving they remain a force to be reckoned with in GT endurance racing.
BMW nearly secured a podium spot, but a late-race electronics glitch left one of their cars stuck in limiter mode, forcing a reset that cost valuable time. This mishap allowed Lexus and Ferrari to capitalize, pushing BMW further down the order.
WEC Manufacturer Standings: Ferrari Leads the Way
With a 1-2-3 finish, Ferrari now leads the WEC Manufacturer Standings, followed by BMW, Toyota, and Cadillac. Porsche finds itself in an unusual position, needing to recover ground quickly before the next round at Imola.
Current WEC Manufacturer Standings (Post-Qatar 1812 KM):
Ferrari – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finish
BMW – Strong Hypercar showing despite late issues
Toyota – Consistent pace but lacked top-end performance
Cadillac – Aggressive racing but missed the podium
Porsche – Needs a stronger showing at Imola
Lexus – Emerging as a serious contender in 2025
Looking Ahead: Imola and Beyond
With the WEC 2025 season now underway, all eyes turn to the next round at Imola. Ferrari, buoyed by their Qatar success, will aim to build on their lead, while Porsche and McLaren seek redemption. Lexus and BMW, after a strong showing in Qatar, are also expected to challenge for podium finishes.
The road to Le Mans has only just begun, but Ferrari’s dominance in Qatar raises an important question: can anyone challenge them this year?
Stay tuned for more WEC 2025 action as we head to Imola next!